As Pakistan announced their squad for the upcoming Asia Cup, scheduled from September 9 to 28, Babar Azam's omission has become a major talking point among fans and experts.
The opening batter has scored 4223 T20I runs in 128 matches and is their all-time highest run-scorer in the format.
However, citing the underwhelming performances that have cost Pakistan in major events over the years, former opener, Ahmed Shehzad has backed the team management and selectors for taking the bold call to drop Babar from the team.
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Shehzad has expressed frustration over Pakistan failing to win any ICC events since the famous Champions Trophy in 2017, and feels Babar failing to step up is a big reason behind it.
Here's what he had to say.
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Ahmed Shehzad backs selectors for dropping Babar Azam from Asia Cup:
Led by Salman Ali Agha, Pakistan will boast of opening options like Saim Ayub, Sahibzada Farhan and Fakhar Zaman for the eight-team competition in the United Arab Emirates.
Shehzad, who is very vocal about Babar's batting and captaincy over the last few years feels that the 30-year-old has disappointed the people of Pakistan by not delivering any big-match performances in close to a decade.
"Awaam kehti hai ki naye players ko develop karte hue agar aap haar jayein to it’s ok. But wo players jin pe investment hui hai, jo 10 saal se khelte hi ja rahe hain, jinhone 8 saal se events nahi jitwaye, aisi investment sabka dil todte hain. [The people in the country say they are fine if the team is losing while developing youngsters. But if they lose with the players whom PCB have invested for 10 years and haven't won us any events in 8 years, then it is unacceptable and heartbreaking]," said Shehzad.
Notably, Babar has led the Asian Giants to the final of the T20 World Cup in 2022, where they were restricted to 137 in 20 overs, facing a 5-wicket loss against England.
Apart from the run to the T20 World Cup final, they have recently suffered group stage exits in the World Cup 2023 and T20 World Cup in 2024 under him, while the early exit ICC Champions Trophy 2025 at home also saw him score just 87 runs in 2 matches.
According to Shezad, who has represented Pakistan in 13 Tests, 81 ODIs and 59 T20Is, the selectors have done a great job in giving opportunities to youngsters in the shortest format.