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Mohsin Naqvi clarified he had no role in Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan’s Asia Cup omission, backing merit-based selection led by Salman Ali Agha.
Babar Azam (left) and Mohammad Rizwan (AP Photo)
Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chief Mohsin Naqvi has finally broken his silence on the non-selection of Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan for the upcoming Asia Cup. The star Pakistani duo was snubbed as the selectors emphasised power-hitters like Saim Ayub, Sahibzada Farhan and Fakhar Zaman for the continental tournament. However, a section of fans and experts still questioned the absence of Babar and Rizwan.
Responding to the matter, Naqvi, who is also the chief of the Asian Cricket Council, stated that the team selection was never his business.
“First of all, I don’t have even 1% role in putting players into the team or taking them out,” Naqvi told reporters on Saturday.
“We have a selection committee and then an advisory body; they all sit together. The process goes through a lot — discussions that last 8–10 hours, sometimes for 2–3 days. Definitely, if a team is being selected, it’s in good hands; all professionals are there. I’ve only told them one thing — whatever decision they take, it should be on merit, and I will support that.”
Neither Babar nor Rizwan has featured in a T20 international since December 2024. Naqvi highlighted the long-term vision, stating, “With whatever lot was available, I polished it and carried it forward. Now our effort is to bring in as many new players as possible so that there is more competition in cricket and the best of the best can come forward.”
Salman Ali Agha will lead Pakistan in the upcoming tri-series and Asia Cup, with senior players such as Shaheen Afridi, Haris Rauf and Hasan Ali in the squad, alongside exciting youngsters Hasan Nawaz and Mohammad Haris.
Pakistan squad: Salman Ali Agha (c), Abrar Ahmed, Faheem Ashraf, Fakhar Zaman, Haris Rauf, Hasan Ali, Hasan Nawaz, Hussain Talat, Khushdil Shah, Mohammad Haris (wk), Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Waseem Jnr, Sahibzada Farhan, Saim Ayub, Salman Mirza, Shaheen Shah Afridi and Sufyan Moqim.
A cricket enthusiast whose dreams of playing for India paved the way for a compelling journey in journalism. With a comprehensive coverage spanning international and domestic cricket across formats, I have had …Read More
A cricket enthusiast whose dreams of playing for India paved the way for a compelling journey in journalism. With a comprehensive coverage spanning international and domestic cricket across formats, I have had … Read More
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