By ABDULLAH 
Pakistan cricket fans could soon witness the long-awaited return of former captain Babar Azam to the T20I squad, with strong indications that he may feature in the upcoming series against South Africa. The 30-year-old batting star last played a T20I in December 2024 on Pakistan’s tour of South Africa and has since been sidelined from the shortest format due to concerns over his strike rate and approach against spin bowling.
After Pakistan’s disappointing run in the 2024 T20 World Cup, Babar Azam was removed as captain and eventually left out of the T20 setup. Head coach Mike Hesson and selector Aaqib Javed favored giving opportunities to younger players like Sahibzada Farhan, who showed promise with multiple Player-of-the-Match performances.
Hesson made it clear that Babar needed to improve his strike rate which stands at 129 in T20Is and work on handling spin better. While Babar’s T20 average of 39.83 is among the best in the world, critics argued that his relatively conservative batting style slowed down Pakistan’s innings, especially in powerplays.
Pakistan’s decision to exclude Babar from the Asia Cup 2025 squad raised eyebrows among fans and former cricketers. But after a string of batting failures in the tournament, pressure has mounted on the PCB to bring back senior players.
According to sources, the board even considered sending Babar to Dubai midway through the Asia Cup, but the tournament organizers rejected the request since squad changes are only allowed in case of injury.
Meanwhile, videos of Babar training aggressively in the nets have gone viral. He was seen practising new shots, including slog sweeps and lofted drives down the track — a sign that he is actively working on his strike rate problem.
Behind the scenes, there appears to be some division within the selection committee. Reports suggest that a powerful member of the panel strongly backs Salman Ali Agha as captain, even claiming personal credit for phasing out Babar. However, with Pakistan’s batting order repeatedly collapsing, senior officials are now pushing for his return.
The role of wicketkeeper Mohammad Rizwan is also under debate. If Mohammad Haris continues to struggle, Rizwan may regain his spot behind the stumps, potentially reuniting him with Babar in the playing XI.
Despite criticism, Babar Azam’s career statistics underline why his return is being seriously considered.
- Second-highest T20I runs in the world (4,223), just behind Rohit Sharma.
- Second-most T20I fifties in history.
- Fastest to 5,000 ODI runs (97 innings).
- Among the most consistent top-order batters in world cricket across formats.
For many fans, it is difficult to imagine Pakistan’s T20 side without its most prolific run-scorer.
The upcoming T20I series against South Africa could be the turning point. PCB officials are expected to decide soon whether Babar will open the innings, where he has traditionally excelled, or take a middle-order role to strengthen the fragile lineup.
Coach Hesson has also encouraged Babar to use international leagues like the Big Bash in Australia to sharpen his T20 game. If he successfully adapts to a more aggressive role, his comeback could provide Pakistan with the stability and firepower they have been missing.
On social media, the debate continues. Supporters argue that Babar’s class and consistency cannot be replaced, while critics insist that Pakistan must move on from “anchor-style” batting. But with the Men in Green struggling in crunch games, even skeptics are beginning to agree that Pakistan needs Babar’s experience and calmness under pressure.
Babar Azam’s likely return against South Africa is more than just a selection decision it is a test of Pakistan cricket’s balance between experience and experimentation. Whether he bats at the top or slots into the middle order, his presence will bring much-needed confidence to the side.
For now, fans are eagerly awaiting the official announcement, hoping that the country’s modern-day batting great can script a comeback that silences critics and reignites Pakistan’s T20 campaign.