Published on, Aug. 18 -- August 18, 2025 7:10 AM

Pakistan left out Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan for an upcoming triangular series and the Asia Cup as it named a 17-member squad on Sunday for the two T20 tournaments in the United Arab Emirates.

Neither batter has featured in a T20 international since playing against South Africa in December 2024 with Pakistan instead giving chances to batters Saim Ayub, Sahibzada Farhan and Fakhar Zaman, who can score quickly.

Head coach Mike Hesson told reporters that Babar was asked to improve "in some areas" that included his vulnerability against spinners and his strike rate. Babar is due to play for Adelaide Strikers in the Big Bash League later this year and Hesson said the batter was working ha...