Babar Azam Poised for T20I Comeback Against South Africa

Babar Azam’s long exile from Pakistan’s T20I squad is expected to end next month, with the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) reportedly preparing to recall the former captain for the upcoming series against South Africa.

Veteran cricket journalist Saleem Khaliq has revealed that the PCB has decided to reintroduce Babar into the shortest format, having left him on the sidelines since December 2024. The star batter had been waiting in the wings as Pakistan experimented with a new approach under head coach Mike Hesson. Despite mixed results, pundits have pointed to a lack of control in Pakistan’s batting order, an area where Babar’s composed style is seen as a natural fit.

Hesson himself has never ruled out Babar’s return and may have played a role in the decision to bring him back.

Interestingly, Babar Azam’s return for the South Africa series isn’t even the biggest revelation from Saleem Khaliq. According to him, there were internal discussions within the PCB about flying Babar to the UAE midway through the Asia Cup campaign, as Pakistan’s batting failed to meet expectations. However, tournament organizers clarified that squad changes could only be made in the event of player injury, effectively ruling out his participation in the continental event.

Babar’s absence from Pakistan’s T20 setup had sparked considerable debate in cricketing circles, especially given his status as the second-highest run-scorer in international T20I cricket. His anticipated return is now being viewed as a strategic move to stabilize the batting lineup ahead of a packed international calendar, which includes the 2026 T20I World Cup.

If confirmed, the series against South Africa will mark Babar’s first T20I appearance for Pakistan since December 2024, offering him a chance to reclaim his place as the team reshapes under new management.

The T20I series between Pakistan and South Africa is scheduled to take place from 28 October to 1 November. The visitors have already announced their squad, with Pakistan expected to follow suit in the coming days.

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