The door for Pakistan’s T20I cricket team isn’t closed for Babar Azam. The former captain has been in and out of the shortest format since the 2024 T20 World Cup, from which Pakistan was knocked out of the group stage. Since that tournament, Babar has featured in just 5 of the 14 T20I matches.
No Babar Azam, result the same
Although Babar’s opening partnership with Mohammad Rizwan was one of the best, they received criticism for their slow scoring. That is, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has been trying out new options. That issue, however, is that even without him, Pakistan hasn’t done that well.
Under Salman Ali Agha’s newly formed team, Pakistan lost to New Zealand ‘B’ rather comfortably, 1-4. Their margin of defeats were as follows: 9 wickets, 5 wickets, 115 runs and 8 wickets. Proper hammerings. This means that PCB have to look behind and consider those who they have left behind.
PCB’s roadmap for Asia Cup & T20 World Cup 2026
But according to BBN Sports, the PCB has started their preparations for two upcoming multi-nation tournaments: the Asia Cup 2025 and the T20 World Cup 2026. The board still has Babar in their plans, albeit in a different role. With openers like Saim Ayub, Mohammad Haris, Hasan Nawan and Fakhar Zaman, the PCB don’t want Babar to open anymore.
But they realise that their middle order isn’t good enough. That is where the board wants to slot the veteran batter in. Considering that both tournaments are being played in Asia, PCB thinks having an experienced player like Babar would be good.
But they won’t just select him like that. They wish to see Babar show more intent. The Pakistan Super League (PSL) 2025 season kicks off on April 11, and Babar will be in action for the Peshawar Zalmi. The PCB won’t have any issue bringing him back into the T20I mix if he unveils Babar Azam 2.0 on the PSL 2025 edition.
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