Asia Cup 2025: SWOT analysis for Pakistan

The 17-member Pakistani squad for the next Asia Cup 2025 has been formally revealed. When they play in the group stage against teams like India, the United Arab Emirates, and Oman, the side, led by Salman Ali Agha, will be looking to establish itself in the T20 format. From September 9 to September 28, 2025, Pakistan will want to create a big impression in the UAE with a combination of fresh players like Saim Ayub and Hasan Nawaz and seasoned players like Shaheen Afridi, Fakhar Zaman, and Haris Rauf.

Here, we present a SWOT analysis of the Pakistan squad for the Asia Cup 2025.

Strengths

With three half-centuries in six games this year and an outstanding strike rate of 144.94, Farhan has been in outstanding form. Saim Ayub is a talented player with a unique X-factor in his batting, despite his recent patchy performances. In the same vein, Fakhar has a track record of winning games at bat. The designated wicket-keeper batsman, Mohammad Haris, has a 154.97 strike rate. With these choices, Pakistan's top order is undoubtedly its strongest suit.

Another notable aspect of Pakistan is their elite pace assault. Mohammad Wasim Jr., left-armer Salman Mirza, and the outstanding pair of Shaheen and Rauf. Under UAE conditions, the bowling unit's firepower can make a difference. The threat level of Pakistan has increased due to their ability to score with both the old and new ball.

Weaknesses

Only three of Pakistan's top four players have scored more than thirty runs in the four games they have played against Afghanistan and the United Arab Emirates. That's three out of sixteen. They are leaving too much for the middle and lower middle order to do, but strike rate is not a problem. This has to be resolved.

Their weak middle order is one of Pakistan's main vulnerabilities going into the 2025 Asia Cup. The majority of middle-order hitters, except the young Hasan Nawaz, have battled with form. While captain Salman Ali Agha has only managed a moderate strike rate of just over 124 this season, Hussain Talat and Khushdil Shah have registered poor performances with low averages and strike rates.

Opportunities

They have a fantastic opportunity to improve their T20 record at the Asia Cup in 2025. With Rizwan and Babar Azam excluded, this is the ideal chance for up-and-coming players like Farhan, Haris, and Hasan Nawaz to establish themselves at the highest level. A successful campaign would give the team's 2026 T20 World Cup plans much more confidence.

Pakistan's cricket approach has historically worked well in the UAE, where their spinners frequently play a significant part and their fast bowlers benefit from assistance off the pitch. Pakistan will want to be well-prepared before competing in the Asia Cup, having played a tri-series against Afghanistan and the United Arab Emirates immediately preceding the competition.

Threats

The team's sole specialised seam-bowling all-rounder is Faheem Ashraf. While he has been successful with the ball, collecting six wickets in nine games this year at an economy rate of 8.24, his strike rate with the bat is almost 150. Although Mohammad Nawaz won Player of the Series in Pakistan's most recent T20 assignment in the Caribbean, he has a history of playing poorly in multi-nation events.

In the tri-series, Mohammad Haris is averaging 7.75 with an 86.11 strike rate, while Mohammad Nawaz has been hitting it at 137. For the Asia Cup, these are hardly encouraging indicators. The finishers are struggling, and the top order hasn't been producing much. Both must be resolved.

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