The exclusion of Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan from Pakistan’s Asia Cup squad has ignited fierce debate, culminating in a stunning call for the star duo to consider retirement if they feel disrespected – with Virat Kohli held up as the ultimate example.

Former Pakistan fast bowler Tanveer Ahmed delivered the explosive suggestion on social media following Sunday’s squad announcement. Pointing directly to Kohli’s recent, self-determined exit from international cricket, Ahmed urged the snubbed pair to take control of their legacy. “My request to Babar Azam and Rizwan is that if you feel your respect is not intact, then consider retiring from international cricket. We have examples of Virat Kohli in front of us. Babar and Rizwan, respect is in your hands,” Ahmed stated, referencing Kohli’s widely reported decision to retire on his own terms despite immense pressure.

Why Were Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan Dropped?
The omission of Babar, Pakistan’s former captain and the world’s number one T20I batter until recently, and his prolific opening partner Rizwan, represents a seismic shift. Both were central figures until Pakistan’s disastrous group-stage exit at the 2024 T20 World Cup in the USA. Their absence continued through Pakistan’s two T20I series earlier this year, culminating in the Asia Cup snub.

Pakistan’s white-ball coach, Mike Hesson, provided insight into the reasoning behind Babar’s exclusion. “There’s no doubt Babar’s been asked to improve in some areas around taking on spin and in terms of his strike rate. Those are things he’s working really hard on,” Hesson clarified. He pointed to the upcoming Big Bash League (BBL) in Australia as Babar’s pathway back. “A player like Babar has an opportunity to play in the BBL and show he’s improving in those areas in T20s. He’s too good a player not to consider,” Hesson added, leaving the door ajar for a potential World Cup 2026 return contingent on performance.

The Virat Kohli Comparison and Respect Narrative
Ahmed’s invocation of Virat Kohli adds significant weight to the controversy. Kohli’s retirement from Test cricket in May 2025, while unexpected, was confirmed by BCCI Vice-President Rajeev Shukla as entirely the player’s decision. “We are feeling the absence of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma. It was their decision to retire and the BCCI doesn’t tell any player to retire. It was their call,” Shukla stated last month, reinforcing the narrative of player agency that Ahmed referenced for Babar and Rizwan.

Selection Scrutiny Intensifies
The selection process itself faced immediate backlash. Tanveer Ahmed raised pointed questions about the inclusion of Fakhar Zaman, who suffered a left hamstring strain during the recent West Indies tour. “Was Fakhar Zaman forced into the team, or was he included to prevent Babar Azam from being selected? How did Fakhar Zaman get in?” Ahmed questioned publicly, casting doubt on the transparency and criteria used by the PCB selectors.

The fallout from Pakistan’s Asia Cup squad announcement extends far beyond team composition. It touches on the treatment of national icons, the expectations placed upon them, and the sensitive balance between performance demands and respect earned over years of service. Tanveer Ahmed’s stark suggestion, framed by the legacy of Virat Kohli’s self-determined exit, places immense pressure not just on Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan to respond, but also on the PCB to manage this high-stakes transition with clarity and fairness. Their next moves, and the board’s handling of its star veterans, will be scrutinized like never before.

Must Know

1. Why were Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan dropped from the Asia Cup squad?
Pakistan’s selectors and coach Mike Hesson indicated a shift towards players with higher strike rates, particularly against spin bowling. Hesson confirmed Babar was specifically asked to improve his T20 strike rate. Both players were also left out of Pakistan’s two preceding T20I series in 2025, signaling a longer-term strategic change after the 2024 T20 World Cup failure.

2. What did Tanveer Ahmed say about Babar Azam and retirement?
Former Pakistan bowler Tanveer Ahmed publicly urged Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan to consider retiring from international cricket if they felt disrespected by their Asia Cup omission. He cited Virat Kohli’s retirement as an example of a player taking control of his exit when respect might be in question.

3. How is Virat Kohli involved in this situation?
Tanveer Ahmed used Virat Kohli’s recent, self-determined retirement from Test cricket as the benchmark example for Babar and Rizwan. He implied that Kohli chose his own path out of international cricket with his dignity intact, something Ahmed believes the Pakistani stars should emulate if they feel undervalued.

4. What does Mike Hesson say Babar Azam needs to do?
Pakistan’s white-ball coach, Mike Hesson, stated Babar needs to demonstrably improve his strike rate in T20 cricket, especially against spin bowling. Hesson highlighted Babar’s upcoming stint in Australia’s Big Bash League (BBL) as the key platform for him to showcase these improvements and force his way back into World Cup contention.

5. What controversy surrounds Fakhar Zaman’s selection?
Tanveer Ahmed questioned whether Fakhar Zaman, who suffered a hamstring injury during the West Indies tour just weeks before the Asia Cup squad announcement, was fit or was included specifically to block Babar Azam’s selection. He publicly asked how Zaman made the squad given his recent injury.

6. Was Babar Azam recently captain?
Yes, Babar Azam was reinstated as Pakistan’s white-ball captain ahead of the 2024 T20 World Cup after a brief period where Shaheen Afridi led the T20I side. However, Pakistan’s poor performance and group-stage exit in that tournament led to significant changes, culminating in his removal as captain and now omission from the Asia Cup squad.