Will Babar Azam stage T20 comeback? Pakistan star could return to T20I team ahead of white-ball series against South Africa

Divy Dubey

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Will Babar Azam stage T20 comeback? Pakistan star could return to T20I team ahead of white-ball series against South Africa image

Pakistan's white-ball setup is under the scanner after a mixed run in the Asia Cup, where the team fell short against India in the final. With the T20 World Cup next year and an ODI and T20I series against South Africa lined up, selectors are evaluating the balance of the squad.

Senior players, team combinations, and leadership roles are all being reviewed. Amidst this, the focus has turned to Babar Azam, who has been absent from T20Is recently but remains one of the team's most dependable batters across formats.

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Pakistan selectors considering Babar Azam return for T20Is

Reports suggest that Pakistan's selectors are weighing the possibility of recalling Babar Azam to the T20I team ahead of next year's World Cup.

The national side has struggled with consistency in the shortest format, and Babar's proven track record makes him a potential solution to stabilise the batting line-up.

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Discussions are ongoing between the selectors, team management, and board advisors to identify the best combination for both the South Africa series and the global tournament.

Pakistan ODI leadership and team experiments

Mohammad Rizwan's future as ODI captain has been a talking point, though a source close to the selectors told PTI that any changes are unlikely to involve Shaheen Shah Afridi. Resting certain senior players for the South Africa series is also on the agenda, allowing younger talent to be tested.

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This approach provides flexibility for selectors to experiment with combinations while keeping an eye on World Cup preparation.

Babar Azam's readiness under review

Any decision on Babar's recall will hinge on his Big Bash performance. A source indicated that the intention is not due to a lack of ability but rather to assess whether he can adapt to modern T20 demands after being sidelined.

Head coach Mike Hesson remains confident in the squad's depth, but the final call on Babar will factor in both form and fitness ahead of the critical white-ball assignments.

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Divy Dubey

Divy Dubey is a content producer for The Sporting News' India edition. He has a passion for cricket and is an avid fan of football. His work spans culture, media, and digital trends. With a background in research and a curiosity-driven approach, he enjoys crafting thoughtful, engaging stories that invite readers to see everyday topics in a new light.