Background: The push to bring back Babar Azam
The lead-up to the Asia Cup final between Pakistan and India saw widespread talk about a dramatic recall for Babar Azam. Reports suggested the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) was exploring every option to include the star batter in the must-win game in the UAE. The aim was simple: add firepower and experience to a lineup that had already shown promise but faced aggressive competition from India.
ACC ruling and the consequence for Pakistan
However, the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) informed the PCB that changes to the squad could not be made unless a player was ruled out due to injury. In other words, no like-for-like replacements or mid-tournament reshuffles were allowed. With that stipulation in mind, the attempt to recall Babar Azam — and even senior partner Mohammad Rizwan — was not sanctioned. The Pakistan side arrived at the final without the two veteran anchors, relying on the players available in the squad to execute their plans.
Performance without Babar and Rizwan
Pakistan had already found life challenging in the tournament without their two most experienced batsmen. Both in the group stage and the Super Four, they faced defeats to India, underscoring the uphill battle Pakistan faced heading into a high-stakes final. The absence of Babar Azam and Rizwan was felt in building innings on tough UAE pitches and against India’s well-drilled attack. The decision to persevere with the current lineup reflected a belief in the depth of Pakistan’s batting and a willingness to adapt rather than chase a single grand fix.
India’s momentum and the likely squad for the final
Meanwhile, India carried forward a strong run of form, having won six consecutive matches in the event. In a high-pressure Super Four encounter, India edged past Sri Lanka in a dramatic Super Over, illustrating the team’s preparedness for the big moment. The group-stage and Super Four matches against Pakistan also highlighted India’s consistency and confidence as the final approached.
India’s potential XI for the final (as reported)
Some reports floated a possible India XI for the final that included: Abhishek Sharma, Shubman Gill, Suryakumar Yadav (captain), Tilak Varma, Sanju Samson, Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Axar Patel, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Varun Chakravarthy. It’s important to note these lineups were speculative, reflecting the teams’ options rather than confirmed selections. The emphasis remained on a balanced unit capable of chasing or setting a competitive total with bowling depth and finishing power.
What lies ahead for Pakistan and the Babar saga
With Asia Cup behind them, Pakistan looked toward the upcoming T20 series against South Africa. The possibility of Babar Azam’s return would be a major talking point if injury concerns eased and if the ACC permitted any changes in the future. For now, the focus for Pakistan centers on maximizing their current squad, building on the gains from the tournament, and shaping a plan for the next international window. The broader storyline remains: can Pakistan leverage the experience from this event to secure wins in tougher conditions and against strong teams abroad?
What this means for the tournament’s narrative
India’s edge in the event has reinforced the classic rivalry narrative and raised expectations for a high-octane contest whenever these sides meet. For Pakistan, the Asia Cup episode underscored both the constraints of tournament regulations and the need for adaptability. As selectors weigh personnel decisions for future assignments, the Babar Azam chapter will persist as a key subplot in Pakistan cricket’s ongoing evolution.
