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Post by : Rameen Ariff
Pakistan’s cricket fans are witnessing a surprising twist in the T20 setup, as star batter Babar Azam and experienced wicketkeeper-batter Mohammad Rizwan continue to be overlooked in the current squad. Reports indicate that after Pakistan’s losses to India in the Asia Cup 2025 group stage and Super 4 matches, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) sought to bring back Babar Azam to strengthen the batting lineup.
However, the Asia Cup organisers denied the request, clarifying that a player can only be added mid-tournament if another squad member suffers an injury. Babar Azam, who last featured in Pakistan’s T20I squad in December 2024, is expected to return for the upcoming T20I series against South Africa.
The recent defeats against India highlighted the absence of senior batters, raising questions about current captain Salman Ali Agha’s performance. PCB officials reportedly instructed that Babar Azam be included in the squad for future matches. The decision regarding Agha’s role as captain and player may depend on his performance in Pakistan’s remaining Asia Cup games.
Meanwhile, Babar Azam has been called for a red-ball training camp at Pakistan’s National Cricket Academy (NCA), starting Tuesday. The 11-player camp will run until September 28 and will be led by interim red-ball head coach Azhar Mahmood along with NCA support staff. Players including Abdullah Shafique, Ali Raza, Azan Awais, and Kamran Ghulam have been selected to work on skills, fitness, and match scenarios ahead of Pakistan’s home Tests against South Africa in October.
Star pacer Naseem Shah and Mohammad Rizwan remain unavailable for selection due to their ongoing participation in the Caribbean Premier League (CPL) 2025. Pakistan will face South Africa in a two-Test series, with the first match starting on October 12 in Lahore, followed by the second fixture in Rawalpindi from October 20.
The return of Babar Azam and Rizwan is expected to strengthen Pakistan’s squad, addressing the batting gaps and providing leadership experience as the team prepares for a challenging T20 and Test season
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