Babar Azam likely to return to T20I fold for Pakistan vs South Africa

Dubai: Pakistan’s performance at the Asia Cup has highlighted the absence of their experienced players, particularly Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan. Their exclusion from the squad for the UAE tournament came as a surprise to many, but the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) appears to be reconsidering that decision.

Babar is now expected to return for the upcoming T20I series against South Africa. His last appearance in a T20 International came in December — also against South Africa — but he was subsequently dropped from the squad, reportedly due to concerns over his strike rate.

According to sources, chief selector Aaqib Javed and head coach Mike Hesson initially supported giving younger players a chance, believing it was time to move on from the Babar-Rizwan era. However, following two disappointing defeats to India, pressure from within the PCB has prompted a change in stance, with officials now pushing for Babar’s reinstatement.

There was even an attempt to add Babar to the Asia Cup squad, but tournament organisers denied the request, citing rules that allow changes only in case of injury.

With Pakistan’s batting lineup struggling for consistency, the absence of an experienced anchor like Babar is being felt more than ever. Sources indicate that his return for the South Africa series is highly likely. The team management is also reassessing other roles: if Mohammad Haris continues to underperform, wicketkeeping responsibilities may be handed back to Mohammad Rizwan.

As for leadership and team dynamics, Salman Ali Agha’s future as captain will hinge on his performance in the remaining Asia Cup matches. While Babar’s return is on the cards, it remains unclear whether he will open the innings or slot in at No 3 or 4.

Babar’s record in T20Is remains outstanding. He was the fastest to reach 5,000 ODI runs (in just 97 innings), and ranks second globally in T20I runs (4,223), just behind India’s Rohit Sharma. He also holds the second-most career T20I fifties, underscoring his consistent performance over the years.