Asia Cup 2025: Pakistan's probable XI for high-stakes clash with India revealed

Pakistan’s probable playing XI for today’s high-stakes Super Four clash against India in the Asia Cup has been disclosed.

Two players who featured in Pakistan’s seven-wicket defeat to India at the Dubai International Stadium six days ago are expected to be left out of the lineup.

For this high-stakes encounter, the team management has shortlisted 12 players, but the chances of Khushdil Shah, who came in for Faheem Ashraf during the UAE group-stage match, making the final XI are considered slim.

Media reports indicate that middle-order batter Hasan Nawaz and left-arm spinner Sufiyan Muqeem are likely to miss out on selection. Head coach Mike Hesson and captain Salman Ali Agha are reportedly focusing on a pace-heavy strategy to counter India’s strong batting lineup, rather than relying primarily on spin.

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The pace attack is expected to be led by Shaheen Shah Afridi and Haris Rauf, while mystery spinner Abrar Ahmed will be supported by Mohammad Nawaz and Saim Ayub. Fakhar Zaman is slated to open alongside Sahibzada Farhan, with Saim Ayub, who has struggled with form, potentially moving down to the fourth or fifth spot in the batting order.

Sources suggest Pakistan will take the field with a combination of two fast bowlers and two specialist spinners. The likely XI for today’s match against India is: Saim Ayub, Sahibzada Farhan, Fakhar Zaman, Faheem Ashraf, Salman Ali Agha, Mohammad Nawaz, Hussain Talat, Mohammad Haris (wicketkeeper), Shaheen Shah Afridi, Haris Rauf, Abrar Ahmed.