"Discussions that last 8-10 hours..."- PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi breaks silence on Babar Azam-Mohammad Rizwan's snub for Asia Cup 2025

Mohsin Naqvi said that he told selectors to pick players on merit.

Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Mohsin Naqvi has broken his silence on Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan’s snub from Pakistan’s Asia Cup 2025 squad. PCB surprised many after the Pakistan squad for the tournament was announced as seniors like Azam and Rizwan didn’t feature in the 17-member squad.

Notably, both Azam and Rizwan have not played any T20I games since the start of this year. The PCB retained the youngsters in the team, which will be captained by Salman Ali Agha in Asia Cup 2025.

Some senior players like Fakhar Zaman, Haris Rauf, Mohammad Nawaz, Hasan Ali, and Shaheen Shah Afridi found a place in the squad. But, Azam and Rizwan not being there saw fans slamming the PCB.

I don’t have even 1% role: Mohsin Naqvi on Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan’s snub for Asia Cup 2025

While speaking to reporters, PCB chairman Naqvi clarified that he had no role in picking the squad for Asia Cup 2025 and all the decisions were made by the selectors. He also added that he asked selectors to pick players based on merit.

“First of all, I don’t have even 1% role in putting players into the team or taking them out. We have a selection committee and then an advisory body, they all sit together. The process goes through a lot- discussions that last 8-10 hours, sometimes for 2–3 days,” he said.

“Definitely, if a team is being selected, it’s in good hands, all professionals are there. I’ve only told them one thing – whatever decision they take, it should be on merit, and I willsupport that,” he added.

“With whatever lot was available, I polished it and carried it forward. Now our effort is to bring in as many new players as possible so that there is more competition in cricket and the best of the best can come forward,” he further said.

Notably, both Azam and Rizwan have played more than 100 T20Is for Pakistan. A couple of years ago, they were the most important batsmen in the T20I side. They last played a T20I match in December 2024 against South Africa.

Meanwhile, Pakistan are placed in Group A in Asia Cup 2025. They will face Oman in their opening game of the tournament on September 12. Later, they will clash with arch-rivals India on September 14 in Dubai. Notably, the Men in Green will also play a T20I Tri-series against Afghanistan and the UAE ahead of this year’s Asia Cup from August 29 to September 7.

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