Selectors Keep Babar in the Mix Despite Asia Cup Omission
In a significant development for Pakistan cricket, experienced batter Babar Azam may make a return to the national T20I squad for the upcoming series against South Africa. Despite being dropped from the Asia Cup 2025 squad, reports suggest the door remains open for the right-handed stalwart. According to Geo Super, selectors have not ruled Babar out of future T20I plans and are keeping a close eye on his performance in the ongoing Test series against South Africa. The three-match T20I series, scheduled between October 28 and November 1 in Lahore and Rawalpindi, could witness Babar’s re-entry into the shortest format, depending on his Test performances.
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) selection committee is expected to announce the T20I squad in the coming days, and Babar’s extensive experience and record as Pakistan’s leading run-scorer in T20Is make him a strong candidate for inclusion. His potential return could add much-needed stability to a batting lineup that struggled with consistency during the Asia Cup, particularly with the underwhelming performances of players like Saim Ayub, Agha Salman, and Hussain Talat.
Naseem Shah Could Replace Rauf, Afridi Likely to be Rested
Meanwhile, pacer Naseem Shah is also reportedly in contention for a T20I comeback. Naseem was left out of the Asia Cup squad due to form issues but now appears to be back in the reckoning. With Shaheen Afridi likely to be rested as part of workload management and Haris Rauf’s position under scrutiny following a poor showing in the Asia Cup final, the PCB might use this opportunity to reintegrate Naseem into the T20 setup.
Additionally, reports indicate that Pakistan is planning to rely more on spin during the T20I series. The PCB has instructed curators to avoid flat batting tracks, which could favor South Africa’s powerful batting order. This strategic move may lead to spin-friendly conditions, increasing the chances of a spin-heavy lineup featuring Mohammad Nawaz, Abrar Ahmed, and Sufiyan Muqeem.
With both Babar and Naseem in contention, the Pakistan team could undergo key changes as they look to fine-tune their squad ahead of the T20 World Cup next year.
