Babar Azam likely to make T20I comeback for Pakistan vs South Africa

Former skipper Babar Azam is expected to make his comeback in Pakistan’s T20 International squad for the upcoming series against South Africa, after being sidelined from the format for several months.

Babar last featured in a T20I against South Africa in December. Since then, he has been absent from the national squad, with his strike rate repeatedly cited as the main reason for his exclusion. Citing sources, media reports said that selector Aaqib Javed and head coach Mike Hesson have argued in favour of giving younger players more opportunities in place of senior figures like Babar and Mohammad Rizwan.

However, back-to-back defeats against India in the ongoing Asia Cup have prompted the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to reconsider. Officials recently decided to send Babar to Dubai for the tournament, but organisers refused the request, making it clear that squad changes could only be made in the event of an injury.

The reports said that the PCB is now planning to bring Babar back into the side for the T20I series against South Africa. With the batting order struggling, the absence of an experienced campaigner is being felt.

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The board is also assessing Salman Ali Agha’s future as captain, with his performance in the remaining Asia Cup fixtures likely to decide whether he continues in the role, they said. If Mohammad Haris fails to deliver with the bat, wicketkeeping duties may be reassigned to Rizwan.

It remains uncertain whether Babar will return as an opener or slot into the middle order at three or four. According to the reports, a senior selection committee member is strongly backing Salman Ali Agha, praising him for his discipline and loyalty. That official has privately claimed credit for ending Babar’s long-standing influence in team affairs.

Despite recent criticism, Babar’s numbers in limited-overs cricket remain among the best in the world. He holds the record as the fastest player to reach 5,000 ODI runs, achieving the milestone in just 97 innings. In T20Is, he has accumulated 4,223 runs — the second-highest tally after India’s Rohit Sharma — and ranks among the top players with the most career fifties.