The Asia Cup Rising Stars 2025 – Pakistan A: Young Guns & Spin Twins – Full Squad
Pakistan A storms into the Asia Cup Rising Stars 2025 with a squad that screams youth, fire, and mystery spin – ready to bury last year’s semi-final heartbreak against Afghanistan A.
Announced ahead of their Group B opener against Oman today, Irfan Khan’s Pakistan A is a PSL-flavoured T20 juggernaut – 11 players under 24, two wrist-spinners, and a 19-year-old tearaway pacer who clocks 145 kph. This isn’t an emerging side. This is Pakistan’s white-ball future in overdrive.
Leadership Core: Middle-Order Muscle + Keeper Calm
- Irfan Khan (c) – 22y 315d
Middle-order enforcer. Right-hand bat, handy medium-fast. 412 runs @ 137 SR (National T20 Cup). Calm, calculated, clutch. - Ghazi Ghori † – 22y 237d
Wicketkeeper-batter. Sharp behind stumps. 189 runs @ 126 SR (domestic T20). Safe hands, quick feet.
Batting Engine: Powerplay Blitz + Finishers
| Player | Role | Age | Signature Shot |
|---|---|---|---|
| Yasir Khan | Opener | 23y 209d | Ramp + lofted cover drive. 150.4 SR (PSL). |
| Mohammad Naeem | Top-order | 26y 212d | Anchor with gears. 300+ runs in last National T20. |
| Maaz Sadaqat | Batting Allrounder | 20y 177d | Left-hand flair. 6 sixes in 18 balls (U19). |
| Mubasir Khan | Allrounder | 23y 198d | 360° player. 97* off 58 (Quaid-e-Azam Trophy). |
Tactical Edge: Right-hand heavy top order – perfect to counter left-arm spin in middle overs.
All-round Firepower: Spin, Seam, Googlies
- Saad Masood (20y 332d) – Legbreak Googly
Teen wrist-spinner. 14 wickets @ 16.8 (National T20). Wrong’un wizard. - Arafat Minhas (20y 310d) – SLA + Left-hand bat
Double-threat. 11 wickets + 201 runs (U19 World Cup 2024). - Shahid Aziz (22y 230d) – Right-arm Medium
Death-overs yorkers. 4/19 vs Sindh. - Muhammad Shahzad (21y 276d) – Right-hand bat, RFM
Lower-order muscle + seam-up variation.
Bowling Brigade: Pace Thunder + Spin ChokePace Battery (Raw Speed & Swing)
| Bowler | Age | Style | Weapon |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ubaid Shah | 19y 276d | RFM | Brother of Naseem. 145 kph. 4/25 on PSL debut. |
| Salman Mirza | 31y 311d | LF | Left-arm angle. Swing in powerplay. |
| Ahmed Daniyal | 28y 128d | RFM | Skiddy + cutters. 3/22 vs Central Punjab. |
| Mohammad Faiq | 28y 222d | RFM | Yorkers under pressure. |
Spin Twins (Middle-Overs Strangle)
- Sufiyan Muqeem (25y 358d) – Left-arm Wrist Spin
PSL sensation. 17 wickets @ 6.2 econ. Googlies that bite. - Saad Masood (Legbreak Googly) – Teen mystery.
Squad at a Glance (15 Players)
| Role | Players |
|---|---|
| Wicketkeeper | Ghazi Ghori |
| Top-order Batters | Yasir Khan, Mohammad Naeem, Irfan Khan (c) |
| All-rounders | Mubasir Khan, Maaz Sadaqat, Shahid Aziz, Muhammad Shahzad, Saad Masood |
| Pacers | Ubaid Shah, Salman Mirza, Ahmed Daniyal, Mohammad Faiq |
| Spinners | Sufiyan Muqeem, Arafat Minhas, Saad Masood |
Tactical Blueprint: How Pakistan A Will Hunt Glory
- Powerplay Fire: Yasir + Naeem = 65+ in 6 overs.
- Middle-Overs Lock: Sufiyan + Saad + Arafat = 9 overs @ under 7 rpo.
- Death Dominance: Ubaid + Ahmed + Shahzad = yorkers + wide-line discipline.
- Flexibility: 5 bowling options in top 8. No weak link.
Group B Schedule (West End Park, Doha)
| Date | Opponent | Time (IST) |
|---|---|---|
| 14 Nov | Oman | 12:00 PM |
| 16 Nov | India A | 12:00 PM (Blockbuster) |
| 18 Nov | UAE | 12:00 PM |
Top 2 to Semifinals (21 Nov). Final: 23 Nov.
Players to Watch
- Ubaid Shah – 19-year-old pace prodigy. Could rattle India A.
- Sufiyan Muqeem – Wrist-spin in dew? Lethal.
- Irfan Khan – Captaincy under India-Pakistan spotlight.
Final Verdict:
This isn’t just Pakistan A. This is PSL’s next wave – pace thunder, wrist-spin sorcery, and fearless youth.
Afghanistan A may be defending champs, but Pakistan A is coming for blood.
“We lost the semi last year. This time, we finish it.” – Irfan Khan, Captain
Asia Cup Rising Stars 2025 starts today.
Pakistan A? They’re not rising. They’re reloading.Live on Sony Sports | Stream on Sony LIV
