If you’re a Pakistan fan, imagining a team without Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan feels strange. But whether it’s workload, form cycles, or strategy shifts, we have to think about it—especially now that both were left out of Pakistan’s latest Asia Cup squad announced on August 17, 2025. It actually happened, and it has everyone buzzing.
First, what exactly are we replacing?
Two different roles:
1. A top-order run engine (Babar’s lane): reliable starts, tempo control, batting deep when needed.
2. A wicketkeeper-batter (Rizwan’s lane): safe hands + high-impact runs at the top or No.3.
Who can fill the Babar-sized hole at the top?
1. Saim Ayub — the fearless left-hand option
Saim’s been the poster boy of Pakistan’s new-school intent. In PSL 2024 he was among the headline performers—awarded “All-rounder of the Tournament”—and he’s now a regular feature across formats. He’s opened for Pakistan in T20Is and brings variety as a left-hander who can go hard in the powerplay. If Pakistan want to keep striking rates high without Babar, Saim is the most natural fit.
2. Abdullah Shafique — class, calm, and a proper No.3/anchor
Don’t let the Test label fool you; Abdullah has white-ball chops. His 113 vs Sri Lanka at the 2023 ODI World Cup showed he can anchor and accelerate. If the plan is to keep one “glue” batter at 3, Abdullah is a smart, low-drama choice.
3. Sahibzada Farhan — domestic T20 run-machine
If you follow Pakistan’s National T20 Cup, then you already know the top run-scorer in 2023/24. Farhan also stepped in during the 2025 Bangladesh T20Is and looked the part. He’s the kind of player selectors like when they want form over reputation.
4. Hasan Nawaz — the pure X-factor
If you want fireworks, he’s your guy. In March 2025 he smashed Pakistan’s fastest men’s T20I hundred—a jaw-dropper that screamed “future.” He’s raw, sure, but if the brief is to replace Babar’s runs with impact, Hasan makes sense alongside a steadier partner.
Who can wear the gloves and replace Rizwan’s all-round value?
1. Azam Khan — PSL-proven, power-hitting keeper
In PSL 2024, Azam was named “Wicket-keeper of the Tournament.” He also had key knocks in Islamabad United’s title run. If you want a keeper who can finish or counter-attack in the middle overs, Azam’s profile fits modern T20 trends.
2. Mohammad Haris — pace-through-the-line intent
Explosive, busy at the crease, and fearless against pace—Haris changes the mood of an innings quickly. PCB’s own numbers highlighted his high T20I strike-rate during 2025, and we’ve all seen the cameos that flip games. As a keeper-batter who can open or float, he’s a like-for-like “intent merchant.”
3. Haseebullah Khan — the left-handed keeper option
Young, left-handed, and rising through PSL and Pakistan colours, Haseebullah offers balance and tidy glovework. He’s not as brutal a hitter as Haris or Azam (yet), but he’s a proper wicketkeeper with solid batting foundations.
4. Rohail Nazir — experienced hands from the youth pipeline
A former U19 captain with a full keeping toolkit. If selectors want a calmer presence with leadership pedigree, Rohail is in the conversation.
5. Saad Baig — the next-gen project
Pakistan’s U19 captain in 2024, left-handed and cool under pressure. He’s one for the medium term, but if Pakistan invest now, they’ll reap consistency later.
Dark horses who keep knocking
Shahzaib Khan (U19) — Pakistan’s top run-getter at the 2024 U19 World Cup and a record-breaker in the U19 Asia Cup later that year. He’s a pure top-order batter.
Sample combos (no Babar, no Rizwan)
• T20I feel (aggression first):
Saim Ayub, Hasan Nawaz, Haris (wk), Farhan, Iftikhar, Salman Agha, Shadab, Imad/Mirza, Shaheen, Naseem, Abrar.
• ODI balance (anchor + hitters):
Saim Ayub, Farhan, Abdullah Shafique, Saud/Iftikhar, Haris (wk) or Azam (wk), Agha Salman, Shadab, Nawaz/Wasim, Shaheen, Naseem, Abrar.
(Note: These are role-based sketches, not a “best XI.” Selection depends on conditions, form, and who’s bowling well that week.)
What Pakistan must do (starting now)
• Pick a template and stick to it. If it’s high-tempo T20 batting, back the hitters through lean patches.
• Value PSL and domestic form—then stress-test it internationally. That’s how Farhan forced his way back in; that’s how Hasan Nawaz became a headline.
• Decide the keeper’s role. If you want a finisher, Azam fits. An all-phase dasher? Haris. Prefer a lefty balance and classical glovework? Haseebullah.
Final words
Babar and Rizwan aren’t just names—they’re stability. But Pakistan’s conveyor belt hasn’t stopped. Saim’s audacity, Abdullah’s calm, Farhan’s volume, Hasan’s thunder; Azam’s finishing, Haris’ spark, Haseebullah’s steadiness—there are real options. The future isn’t guaranteed, but it’s definitely not empty.