Pakistan has recalled Babar Azam to the T20 squad after previously leaving him out due to concerns over his strike rate, but Mohammad Rizwan has not been included this time.
Coach Mike Hesson had set a condition for Babar’s return: improvement in his strike rate. However, the experienced batsman didn’t need to prove much — failures at the top of the order paved the way for his immediate comeback. Babar has now been included for the upcoming T20 series against South Africa and the subsequent tri-nation T20 series, while Rizwan remains sidelined.
The 31-year-old, the second-most successful T20 batsman for Pakistan, last featured in this format in December. His absence has been a topic of discussion in nearly every series since. Before the Asia Cup, Hesson had emphasized areas for improvement, including strike rate, and mentioned that strong performances in the Big Bash League could open the door for a recall. With recent top-order struggles, Babar has secured his spot once again, and he is expected to play a key role in Pakistan’s World Cup plans.
Meanwhile, Fakhar Zaman, who underperformed in the last Asia Cup, has been named in the reserves. Fast bowler Haris Rauf and left-arm wrist spinner Sufiyan Mukim have also missed out on the main T20 squad despite decent recent form. Mukim’s exclusion is somewhat surprising, given his strong performances, while Haris Rauf has faced criticism for inconsistent bowling.
Opportunities have opened for Usman Tariq, the 27-year-old off-spinner who receives his first call-up to the national T20 side. Tariq impressed in the Caribbean Premier League, taking 20 wickets in 10 matches, finishing as the second-highest wicket-taker.
Aggressive batsman Abdul Samad and pacer Naseem Shah also return to the T20 squad.
Pakistan’s ODI squad has also been announced, covering the series against South Africa and Sri Lanka. Haris Rauf, who missed out on the T20 side, is included in the ODI team, as is Fakhar Zaman. Left-arm chinaman spinner Faisal Akram and promising batsman Hasibullah Khan are back in the ODI squad. Akram, 22, played three ODIs in Zimbabwe last November, taking five wickets. Hasibullah, also 22, made a duck in his lone ODI on that tour but is considered one of Pakistan’s most promising young batsmen, with 9 centuries and 10 fifties in 50 List A innings at an average of 51.13.
Pakistan’s three-match T20 series against South Africa begins next Tuesday, followed by the ODI series starting on November 4 — marking the start of Shaheen Shah Afridi’s tenure as Pakistan’s ODI captain. The three-match ODI series against Sri Lanka starts on November 11, followed by a tri-nation T20 series with Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe from November 17.
Pakistan T20 Squad
Salman Ali Agha (c), Abdul Samad, Abrar Ahmed, Babar Azam, Fahim Ashraf, Hasan Nawaz, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Wasim Jr, Salman Mirza, Naseem Shah, Sahibzada Farhan, Saem Ayub, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Usman Khan, Usman Tariq.
- Reserves: Fakhar Zaman, Haris Rauf, Sufiyan Mukim.
Pakistan ODI Squad
Shaheen Shah Afridi (c), Abrar Ahmed, Babar Azam, Fahim Ashraf, Faisal Akram, Fakhar Zaman, Haris Rauf, Hasibullah Khan, Hasan Nawaz, Hussain Talat, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Rizwan, Mohammad Wasim Jr, Naseem Shah, Saem Ayub, Salman Ali Agha.
