The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has unveiled a dynamic 17-member squad for the upcoming T20I tri-series and ACC Men’s T20 Asia Cup 2025, set to ignite the UAE’s cricketing arenas from August 29 to September 28, 2025. With the tri-series in Sharjah serving as a high-octane warm-up and the Asia Cup in Abu Dhabi and Dubai promising fierce regional rivalries, Pakistan is poised for a thrilling campaign. Led by all-rounder Salman Ali Agha, the squad blends seasoned stars with emerging talents, aiming to dominate both tournaments.
The Men’s National Selection Committee has crafted a balanced 17-member squad for both the tri-series and Asia Cup, emphasizing aggressive batting, versatile all-rounders, and a potent bowling attack tailored for UAE conditions. Captain Salman Ali Agha, a spin-bowling all-rounder, brings leadership stability, while the inclusion of veterans like Shaheen Shah Afridi and Haris Rauf ensures firepower. Young guns like Saim Ayub and Hasan Nawaz add flair, promising to electrify the powerplay.
Full Squad:
Salman Ali Agha (captain)
Abrar Ahmed
Faheem Ashraf
Fakhar Zaman
Haris Rauf
Hasan Ali
Hasan Nawaz
Hussain Talat
Khushdil Shah
Mohammad Haris (wicket-keeper)
Mohammad Nawaz
Mohammad Waseem Jnr
Sahibzada Farhan
Saim Ayub
Salman Mirza
Shaheen Shah Afridi
Sufyan Moqim
The squad’s composition reflects a strategic focus on adaptability. According to ProPakistani, the batting lineup, featuring left-handers Fakhar Zaman and Saim Ayub, aims for explosive starts, while Mohammad Haris and Hasan Nawaz provide middle-order dynamism. The bowling attack, led by Shaheen Afridi’s pace and Abrar Ahmed’s mystery spin, is designed to exploit Sharjah’s two-paced pitches and Dubai’s batting-friendly tracks.
The T20I tri-series, hosted at Sharjah Cricket Stadium from August 29 to September 7, 2025, pits Pakistan against Afghanistan and hosts UAE in a double round-robin format. Each team plays the others twice, with the top two advancing to the final on September 7. This tournament serves as a critical tune-up for the Asia Cup, allowing Pakistan to test combinations and adapt to UAE conditions.
Tri-Series Schedule (all matches at 7:00 PM local time):
August 29: Afghanistan vs Pakistan
August 30: UAE vs Pakistan
September 1: UAE vs Afghanistan
September 2: Pakistan vs Afghanistan
September 4: Pakistan vs UAE
September 5: Afghanistan vs UAE
September 7: Final
Sharjah’s compact boundaries and humid nights favor high-scoring games, but dew could influence captains to chase, as noted by Cricketory. Pakistan’s matches against Afghanistan, known for their spin-heavy attack led by Rashid Khan, will test the batting unit’s resilience, while UAE’s home advantage could spark upsets. Fans on X are buzzing, with users like @CricketFanPK hyping the Pakistan-Afghanistan clashes as “must-watch fireworks.”
The ACC Men’s T20 Asia Cup, running from September 9 to 28, 2025, in Abu Dhabi and Dubai, is the main event. Pakistan is placed in Group A alongside arch-rivals India, Oman, and UAE, setting the stage for high-stakes encounters. The tournament’s eight-team format includes a Super Fours stage, culminating in the final on September 28 at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium (DICS).
Pakistan’s Asia Cup Fixtures (all at 6:00 PM local time, DICS):
September 12: Oman vs Pakistan
September 14: India vs Pakistan
September 17: UAE vs Pakistan
September 20-26: Super Fours (Abu Dhabi and Dubai)
September 28: Final
The India-Pakistan clash on September 14 is already generating massive hype, with Geo TV calling it “the marquee matchup of the tournament.” Pakistan’s strategy will hinge on leveraging their pace trio—Shaheen, Haris, and Hasan Ali—to counter India’s formidable batting, while spinners like Abrar Ahmed and Mohammad Nawaz aim to stifle middle overs. The Oman and UAE games are crucial for net run rate, as the Super Fours will demand consistency
