Pakistani Players out of the Asia Cup 2025—Shabab Khan injury setback
A significant blow for Pakistan as Pakistani vice-captain Shadab Khan has been ruled out of the Asia Cup 2025. Shadab Khan has been suffering from a shoulder injury since the PSL 2025. Key fast bowlers Naseem Shah and Waseem Junior are also not fit for the upcoming series.
Let’s take a deep dive into discussing all players’ injuries and Pakistan’s plans for the Asia Cup.
Shadab Khan Injury Update
Pakistani official sports channels Geo Super and A Sports shared this injury update on July 1, 2025. This report stated that Shadab Khan got a serious injury in his shoulder. This injury pain started in PSL 10. However, Shadab played the home series against Bangladesh.
He made winning runs for Pakistan in the first match against Bangladesh. After that, his injury got more serious. PCB gave him rest to recover. But now, Pakistani media reported that the injury is more serious than expected.
Will Shadab Khan be available for the 2025 Asia Cup?
Shabab will need urgent shoulder surgery to recover. If doctors advise surgery for this injury, it will take almost 3 months for him to recover. Asia Cup 2025 is supposed to start in September 2025.
All these reports and results conclude that Shadab Khan is likely to be out of the Asia Cup 2025. He will also be unavailable for the upcoming series against Bangladesh and the United States. So, Shadab Khan’s unavailability is almost confirmed.
Who will be the new vice-captain for Pakistan?
A question arises when we consider Shadab’s injury.
Who will be the new vice-captain for Pakistan?
According to media reports and PCB hints, Fakhar Zaman is likely to be the new vice-captain for Pakistan in T20Is. He has got the experience a vice-captain or captain requires. Fakhar Zaman is the most senior player on the Pakistan team right now.
Fakhar Zaman will be a good choice for vice-captaincy. Here are some other options to consider. PCB can also think about Muhammad Haris and Shaheen Shah Afridi for this role.
Shadab Khan’s Replacement as a player
PCB has unveiled Shadab Khan’s replacement as a player. Shadab Khan’s role in Pakistan cricket is that of a wrist-spin all-rounder. PCB’s priority will be a spin all-rounder. Unfortunately, Pakistan does not have any wrist-spin all-rounders on the list.
After this blow, Sufiyan Muqeem is likely to replace Shadab as a player. Sufiyan has wicket-taking ability in the middle overs. So, he is almost confirmed for this role.
Other injured Pakistani players
According to the details, sources confirmed that Naseem Shah and Waseem Junior are not fully fit. They are also supposed to miss the upcoming series against Bangladesh. They will rest for some time to recover completely for the Asia Cup 2025.
How did these injuries happen?
Naseem Shah and Waseem Junior’s injury updates are not confirmed. PCB confirmed that they are unfit, but no more details were unveiled. They may not have any serious injuries.
Waseem Junior felt pain in his back in the PSL 10. He missed the entire series against Bangladesh. He has still not recovered.
Naseem Shah does not have any serious injury, and reports only say he is unfit. He is experiencing some minor pain, which is expected to subside within approximately a month.
Impact on Pakistan’s Asia Cup hopes.
Pakistan is planning to win the Asia Cup. Significant injuries dealt a major blow to Shaheen’s. Currently, Shadab Khan is out of the Asia Cup, which will make an impact on the Pakistan team. Shadab could be the leading all-rounder and vice-captain for Pakistan. This injury will have a significant effect on the Pakistan squad.
Naseem Shah and Waseem Junior’s fitness updates are also bad. It has a significant impact on the team’s overall performance. Salman Agha and Pakistan’s head coach, Mike Hesson, will likely select young players for these replacements.
