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Former pacer Tanvir Ahmed has advised the senior duo of Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan to consider retirement from International cricket amid selection snub for the Tri-Series and Asia Cup 2025.
Earlier, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) named a 17-member squad that excluded Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan.
Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan’s last T20I appearance came in December 2024 against South Africa.
Tanvir Ahmed criticized the decision, urging the duo to call time on their careers.
“My request to Babar Azam and Rizwan is that if you feel your respect is not intact, then consider retiring from international cricket. We have examples of Virat Kohli in front of us. Babar and Rizwan, respect is in your hands,” he said.
The pacer questioned Fakhar Zaman’s inclusion in the team, who suffered an injury during the West Indies tour.
“Was Fakhar Zaman forced into the team, or was he included to prevent Babar Azam from being selected? How did Fakhar Zaman get in?” he questioned.
For the unversed, Salman Ali Agha will lead the side with experienced players such as Fakhar Zaman, Shaheen Shah Afridi, and Haris Rauf included in the squad.
Additionally, young talents Saim Ayub, Khushdil Shah, and Hussain Talat are also part of the squad.
The team will be in action in the tri-series against Afghanistan and the UAE, which is scheduled to run from August 29 to September 7.
The series will be held entirely at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium and will see each team face the others twice, culminating in the final on September 7.
The series will serve as a crucial tune-up for the Asia Cup 2025, also to be held in the UAE from September 9 to 28 in the T20 format.
READ: ‘Best team selected’: Abdul Razzaq praises Pakistan Tri-Series, Asia Cup squad
