Pakistan head coach Mike Hesson revealed that Babar Azam was dropped from Pakistan’s Asia Cup 2025 squad due to his low T20 strike rate and struggles against spin, urging the star batter to prove himself in the Big Bash League for a comeback.

Former Pakistan bowler Tanveer Ahmed urged Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan to consider retiring if disrespected after Asia Cup snub, citing Virat Kohli.

Pakistan coach Mike Hesson highlights Babar Azam's potential return to the T20I team depends on improving his play against spin and increasing his strike rate. Azam's exclusion from the upcoming tri-series squad comes despite his strong domestic performance.

Pakistan’s Asia Cup 2025 squad sparks controversy as Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan are dropped over strike rate concerns, while captain Agha Salman’s weaker numbers expose glaring hypocrisy in team selection.

Former Pakistan captain Babar Azam has been told to improve his batting against spin and boost his overall strike rate to be considered for Twenty20 Internationals, coach Mike Hesson said.

India veterans Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli had briefly been ommitted from the ICC ODI rankings but were then reappeared in their original second and fourth places respectively.