Babar Azam likely to make T20I return for Pakistan against South Africa

The former Greenshirts skipper last played for the country in December 2024

DUBAI:

Babar Azam’s return is expected in the T20I series against South Africa. The proposal to send the senior batter to Dubai for the Asia Cup could not be implemented.

According to details, Babar Azam last played a T20 International match against South Africa in December. Since then, he has not been included in Pakistan’s T20 squad, with his strike rate cited as the reason. Sources say that selector Aaqib Javed and head coach Mike Hesson believe that giving opportunities to new players instead of Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan is the right policy.

However, after two recent defeats against India, PCB officials have instructed that Babar Azam be brought back into the team. A few days ago, it was even decided to send the senior batter to the UAE for the Asia Cup, but the organizers made it clear to the board that no changes could be made to the squad unless a player was injured.

Sources revealed that there is a strong possibility of Babar Azam’s return for the T20I series against South Africa. With the batting lineup consistently failing, the absence of a senior batter is being strongly felt. The decision on Salman Ali Agha’s role as captain and player will depend on his performance in the remaining Asia Cup matches. If Mohammad Haris continues to struggle, wicketkeeping duties may also be handed back to Mohammad Rizwan.

It has not yet been decided whether Babar Azam will resume his role as an opener after returning, or whether he will bat at number three or four. It is worth noting that a powerful member of the selection committee greatly favors Salman Ali Agha because of his politeness and obedience. That member has even openly claimed in private gatherings that he deserves the credit for ending Babar Azam’s dominance.

Barbar Azam boasts some of the most improessive statistics when it comes to the T20 format.

His most impressive record is his fastest to 5,000 ODI runs, achieving this milestone in just 97 innings. He scored the fastest to 2500 runs and scored the second highest runs in T20 (4,223 runs) in the world after India's Rohit Sharma and scored the second most fifties in career in T20Is, among other records.