Daijiworld Media Network – Karachi

Karachi, Aug 19: Pakistan cricket has taken a decisive turn as star batters Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan were left out of the Asia Cup 2025 squad, raising questions about their future in the T20 format. Neither has featured in a single T20I this year.

Reacting to the omission, former Pakistan pacer Tanveer Ahmed advised the duo to step away from international cricket if they felt sidelined. “My request to Babar and Rizwan is that if you feel you’re not being respected, then announce your retirement,” Tanveer posted on X, citing Virat Kohli’s Test retirement as an example.

Babar and Rizwan have faced heavy criticism since Pakistan’s shock group-stage exit from the 2024 T20 World Cup, and their struggles continued as Pakistan slumped to a historic ODI series defeat to West Indies after 34 years.

Meanwhile, Tanveer’s comparison with Kohli drew mixed reactions. While Kohli stepped away from Tests earlier this year amid reports of not being a guaranteed starter, there is no indication that he retired due to disrespect. The Indian great remains central to the ODI setup, guiding India to the Champions Trophy 2025 title with 218 runs, including a match-winning century against Pakistan.