KARACHI:

Pakistan will walk into the Asia Cup 2025 starting September 9 without , a decision that has already sparked debate among fans and experts. For nearly a decade, Babar has been the anchor of Pakistan’s batting. Now, at 30, he finds himself out of the squad not because of an injury or retirement but because of form and approach.

Head coach Mike Hesson explained the move bluntly: Babar’s strike rate of 129 in T20 internationals is below the standard in today’s game, and his issues against spin have been exposed too often. Numbers, however, still weigh in his favour. He remains Pakistan’s leading T20I run-scorer with 4223 runs and averages 39.83.

But Pakistan are chasing a new style. Alongside Babar, Mohammad Rizwan and Naseem Shah have also been dropped as selectors push for more

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