LAHOR
Former Pakistan pacer Tanveer Ahmed has sparked debate by urging national stars Babar Azam and wicketkeeper-batter Rizwan to consider retiring from international cricket.
This comes following their omission from Pakistan’s recently announced squad for the upcoming UAE T20 Tri-Series and Asia Cup 2025.
Tanveer took to social media platform ‘X’ and urged the star duo to make a decision based on their own sense of respect and career principles.
“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.”
The 46-year-old also raised concerns about the team selection process, questioning the rationale behind the inclusion of certain players.
He specifically highlighted the situation involving Pakistan’s opening batsman Fakhar Zaman.
The left-handed opening batter was sidelined during the recently concluded three-match ODI series against West Indies due to a left hamstring strain sustained in the second T20I.
“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.
It is pertinent to mention that the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) announced a 17-member squad on Sunday for the UAE T20 Tri-Series and the Asia Cup 2025.
The tri-series, featuring Pakistan, Afghanistan, and hosts UAE, will be held in Sharjah from August 29 to September 7, followed by the Asia Cup in Abu Dhabi and Dubai from September 9 to 28.
During a press conference, Pakistan’s white-ball head coach Mike Hesson justified retaining pacer Salman Mirza for the upcoming events.
“We have retained Salman Mirza because of his performance in Bangladesh,” Hesson said.
The 31-year-old Mirza impressed as the leading wicket-taker of the series, claiming seven wickets across three matches at an economy rate of 5.21.
For the unversed, Babar and Rizwan last played a short-format match for Pakistan during their game against South Africa in Centurion back in December 2024.
