Pakistan’s young guns ready for Asia Cup

The 17th edition of the Asia Cup begins on Tuesday (today) in the United Arab Emirates. With matches scheduled in Dubai and Abu Dhabi, the competition promises high-octane cricket in the T20 format.

This year’s tournament brings together eight teams: India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Afghanistan, and the qualifiers—United Arab Emirates, Oman, and Hong Kong. The teams are split into two groups: Group A (India, Pakistan, UAE, Oman) and Group B (Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Afghanistan, Hong Kong).

After 19 matches, the top two sides from each group will progress to the Super Four stage. The final is slated for September 28 in Dubai. As always, the biggest fixture will be the clash of arch-rivals Pakistan and India, scheduled for September 14 in Dubai—a match that inevitably captures global attention. The last Asia Cup in T20 format was also played in the United Arab Emirate in 2022 that was won by Sri Lanka.

For Pakistan, this edition is more than just a continental battle—it serves as a vital dress rehearsal for the ICC T20 World Cup 2026. The selectors have surprised many by leaving out stalwarts Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan, who for years anchored Pakistan’s batting. Their omission signals a decisive shift in strategy: a move toward aggression-first cricket.

While Babar and Rizwan are known for their reliability and technical excellence, critics have often questioned their strike rates in high-pressure situations. Head coach Mike Hesson has laid out a clear directive for the new-look squad: if a batsman faces 10 balls, he must score 20 runs; if he faces 20, he must make at least 40. The message is simple—no slowing down, no holding back.

This philosophy places the spotlight firmly on Pakistan’s young batting core. Players such as Sahibzada Farhan, Saim Ayub, Fakhar Zaman, Hasan Nawaz, and Mohammad Haris have all shown the ability to maintain strike rates above 150. In the middle order, skipper Salman Agha, along with Hussain Talat, Khushdil Shah, Faheem Ashraf, and Mohammad Nawaz, bring finishing power to ensure Pakistan keeps pace in the death overs. Pakistan boasts a fearsome pace attack spearheaded by Shaheen Shah Afridi, Haris Rauf, Hasan Ali, and Salman Mirza. Their ability to swing the new ball and unleash yorkers at the death makes them one of the most lethal fast-bowling groups in the tournament.

However, the spin department remains Pakistan’s Achilles’ heel. Since the retirement of Saeed Ajmal, the team has struggled to produce a world-class spinner capable of breaking partnerships in the middle overs. Abrar Ahmed and Sufiyan Muqeem offer promise but lack big-match experience. Meanwhile, part-time options like Nawaz, Salman Agha, and Saim Ayub may not be enough against batting lineups such as India’s.

India enters the Asia Cup 2025 as one of the strongest contenders for the title, backed by a formidable blend of batting depth and bowling experience. Traditionally known for producing world-class batters, India’s current lineup boasts consistency, power-hitting, and adaptability across formats. With openers capable of providing aggressive starts and a reliable middle order anchored by experienced campaigners, India holds the ability to chase or set imposing totals against any opposition.

The combination of batting firepower and bowling discipline makes India a well-rounded team. Having lifted the Asia Cup multiple times in the past, their experience in handling high-pressure encounters against rivals like Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh gives them an additional edge. With momentum and confidence on their side, India truly stands out as a strong favorite to win Asia Cup 2025.

Despite green shirts’ disappointing performance in the last Asia Cup, anything can happen in a tournament and the underdog status can sometimes work in favour of a team. If Pakistan maintain consistency, adjust to the conditions quickly, they have a genuine chance to win the Asia Cup.

Virat Kohli is the most successful batsman in the Men’s T20 Asia Cup with 429 runs in 10 matches at the average of 85.80 and a strike rate of 132. Mohammad Rizwan has managed 281 runs in six appearances, averaging 56.20 with 117.57 strike rate. On the bowling side, India’s Bhuvneshwar Kumar is the most successful bowler in the Men’s T20 Asia Cup with 13 wickets in six matches, averaging 9.46. UAE’s Amjad Javed behind him with 11 scalps at an average of 14.08. From Pakistan, leg-spinner Shadab Khan, Haris Rauf and Mohammad Nawaz shared eight wickets each with the average of 14.12, 19.12 and 21.75 respectively.