If you’ve been following Pakistan’s PUBG Mobile scene, you already know AS i8 doesn’t sit still for long. After a rough exit from the PUBG Mobile National Championship (PMNC), the org has pulled the trigger on a full lineup shakeup — and honestly, it was a long time coming after weeks of transfer rumors flying around the community.

Here’s the breakdown, in plain terms.

Why the Shakeup Happened?

Let’s rewind a bit. AS i8 walked into PMNC as one of the teams to watch, but it didn’t go their way — an early elimination in the grand finals sent them home while rival squad Maxebels lifted the trophy instead. That kind of result doesn’t just sting; it forces a team’s management to sit down and rethink everything.

And that’s exactly what happened. Veteran player Keton had actually already stepped away from the org well before PMNC even kicked off, choosing to chase a different path in his career. Then, right after the PMNC loss, star fragger Faisal briefly left the roster too — a moment that probably had fans nervous. Thankfully, cooler heads prevailed, and Faisal is back in the starting lineup, keeping that hard-earned team chemistry intact.

Meet the AS i8 New Lineup

So what does the rebuilt roster actually look like?

• Walker (Usama Fazal) joins as the new frontline attacker, arriving via a high-profile move from Hyper Esports.
• Crypto (Raja Haseeb) steps up from a support role into the In-Game Leader (IGL) seat, now calling the shots on rotations and overall strategy.
• Iron (Ayan Raza) and UZM (Uzair Ahmed) round out the squad as the mechanical anchors fans already know and trust.

It’s a mix of fresh firepower and proven experience — exactly the kind of formula teams look for after a disappointing tournament run.

Read More: PMGO Season 2 2026: Everything You Need to Know About PUBG Mobile’s Next Mega Event

Getting to Know ‘Walker’

Since he’s the new face in the lineup, here’s a quick scouting report:

• Real name: Usama Fazal
• Playstyle: A raw, mechanical fragger who thrives on compound breaches and high-impact entry kills — the guy who kicks the door down, essentially.
• Background: Before joining AS i8 Esports, Usama “Walker” Fazal established himself as a tier-1 PUBG Mobile player. He spent the early years of his career as a core member of R3D Esports, starting in early 2020, including a short international loan stint with the Romanian roster, Excuse Me, in late 2021.
• More recently, he built his reputation at Phoenix Rise and Hyper Esports through high-impact, close-range plays. Following these standout performances, AS i8 Esports scouts noticed him during their post-PMNC evaluations and officially signed him to their main roster.

A Storyline Fans Will Recognize

If this rebuild feels familiar, that’s because it is. This isn’t the first time i8 has restructured to unlock a player’s potential — longtime fans will remember Huzaifa.

Huzaifa once played alongside Crypto under the i8 banner before deciding to chase a better opportunity elsewhere, making the move to 4Thrives Esports. That decision paid off in a big way — he went on to become a legitimate global star, landing a historic finish at the world championships and picking up multiple MVP awards along the way.

From an analytical perspective, it is hard not to draw comparisons between that historic storyline and Walker’s arrival today. The i8 management is undoubtedly hoping this fresh strategic setup can spark a similar mechanical breakout for their new-look squad.

What’s Next for AS i8

With the roster now finalized, the goal is clear: dominate the upcoming PMPO (PUBG Mobile Pakistan Open) and punch a ticket to the PMGO Season 2 main stage. All eyes will be on whether this new-look squad can turn a disappointing PMNC into a launching pad for something bigger.

AS i8’s Net Worth

For context on just how established this organization is: AS i8 Esports carries an estimated $337,672 in total career prize winnings, cementing its status as one of Pakistan’s most decorated esports organizations. That kind of track record is exactly why every roster move they make gets this much attention from the community.