Pakistan’s vice-captain Shadab Khan is expected to miss the Asia Cup 2025 due to a serious shoulder injury. He recently underwent surgery in the UK after his condition worsened. The 26-year-old all-rounder had already missed Pakistan’s T20 matches against Bangladesh and the West Indies. Doctors say he needs at least three months to recover. This rules him out of the tournament, which starts in early September.
The Asia Cup will run from September 9 to 28 in the United Arab Emirates. Shadab is unlikely to return before that. So far, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has not named anyone to replace him as T20 vice-captain. No deputy was assigned during Pakistan’s recent matches either. Even the current squad touring the Caribbean has no designated second-in-command.
Pakistan will kick off their Asia Cup campaign against Oman on September 12. A high-profile match against India is set for September 14 in Dubai. This year’s Asia Cup follows the T20 format. It will help teams prepare for the ICC T20 World Cup in 2026. That tournament will be co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka.
The event features eight teams split into two groups. Group A includes Pakistan, India, Oman, and UAE. Group B has Sri Lanka, Afghanistan, Bangladesh, and Hong Kong. The tournament opens with a match between Afghanistan and Hong Kong on September 9. The final will be played on September 28.
If both Pakistan and India reach the Super Four stage, fans may see another clash on September 21. Many will watch closely to see how Pakistan performs without Shadab. The PCB is expected to share an update on his rehab progress soon.