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Former Pakistan head coach Mickey Arthur has voiced his astonishment over the absence of star batter Babar Azam from the national T20I side during the ongoing ACC Asia Cup 2025.
Babar, currently the second-highest run-scorer in T20 internationals, has not featured in the format since Pakistan’s three-match away series against South Africa in December last year.
Despite his stature and experience, the selectors opted against recalling him for the Asia Cup, signalling their intent to build a younger core ahead of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026.
Arthur, who guided Pakistan to Champions Trophy glory in 2017, openly criticised the move on social media after the Green Shirts’ batting struggles against the UAE on Wednesday.
“How Babar is not in this batting line up is totally beyond me!” he posted on X (formerly Twitter).
In their crucial group-stage clash against the UAE, Pakistan managed only 146-9 before their bowlers secured a 41-run win to seal Super Four qualification.
The batting frailties, however, have been a recurring theme. Pakistan’s highest total so far, 160/7 against Oman, relied heavily on Mohammad Haris’s late counterattack after yet another middle-order wobble.
Against India, their batting shortcomings were exposed further, collapsing to 127/9 in 20 overs in a one-sided defeat.
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