Pakistan’s prolific batter Babar Azam has got his batting position confirmed on return to T20Is against South Africa after a nine-month absence.
As per details, white-ball head coach Mike Hesson, during a media briefing yesterday, stated that Babar Azam’s return to the national side will be successful.
He said that “I certainly endorse his selection, with Fakhar Zaman sent to first-class cricket.”
Hesson said that “And that created an opportunity for another top-order player, and it is a great opportunity to get Babar back into the squad. He’s likely to bat at three, so it’s a role that I’m very confident he’ll be able to do well in,” he added.
The record-breaking batter last played for Pakistan in T20Is against South Africa in Centurion in December 2024 but he remains an integral part of the ODI and Test squads.
The Pakistan coach said that wicketkeeper batter Mohammad Haris was not included in the team due to his consistent failures despite being given repeated opportunities.
“Haris is young, he needs improvement,” he said, adding that Usman Khan was included in the T20I squad due to his batting prowess against spin.
It is important to mention here that Pakistan’s prolific batter Babar Azam returned to the national side as Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has announced the squad for ODI and T20I series against South Africa.
Babar Azam remained out of the T20I squad and had missed the Asia Cup 2025 while fast-bowler Naseem Shah and power-hitter Abdul Samad also made a come back.
15-member T20I squad
Salman Ali Agha (captain), Abdul Samad, Abrar Ahmed, Babar Azam, Faheem Ashraf, Hasan Nawaz, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Wasim Jnr, Mohammad Salman Mirza, Naseem Shah, Sahibzada Farhan, Saim Ayub, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Usman Khan (wicket-keeper), Usman Tariq.
Pakistan vs South Africa Schedule:
28 October – First T20I at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, Rawalpindi
31 October – Second T20I at Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore
1 November – Third T20I at Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore
4 November – First ODI at Iqbal Stadium, Faisalabad
6 November – Second ODI at Iqbal Stadium, Faisalabad
8 November – Third ODI at Iqbal Stadium, Faisalabad
