PCB begs Babar Azam to make T20I return with Asia Cup, T20 World Cup in mind

Pakistan National Cricket Team batter Babar Azam is all set to make his comeback in T20Is soon. As per the reports in BBN sports, it is learned that the premier batter is all set to be included in the team for the Asia Cup 2025 and the ICC T20 World Cup 2026.

Pakistan National Cricket Team batter Babar Azam was dropped from the T20I setup after the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. This was because the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) wanted to give opportunities to youngsters as they wanted to build up the team for the upcoming T20 World Cup 2026.

Babar Azam wasn't named in the Pakistan squad for T20I series against New Zealand

Babar wasn't named in the Pakistan squad for the five-match T20I series against the New Zealand National Cricket Team. He, along with Mohammad Rizwan and some other senior players of the team, were dropped as the Pakistan Cricket Board gave opportunities to the players who performed well in domestic cricket.

Babar and Mohammad Rizwan were dropped from the Pakistan squad because the PCB wanted to move on from the slow approach of senior batters. Head coach Aaqib Javed categorically mentioned that they want players to play with intent.

However, the move didn't pay off well as Pakistan National Cricket Team went on to lose the series by the margin of 4-1. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) also faced a lot of criticism for their poor decision to exclude big names like Babar Azam, and hence it is now expected that he will be back.

Babar Azam was last seen in action during the second ODI against the New Zealand

Babar was last seen in action during the second ODI against the New Zealand National Cricket Team. The batter, however, is not having a great series so far as he couldn't make a major impact in the first two games. The right-hander slammed fifty in the first game and then bagged a low score in the second match.

Babar, in the last few months, has come under massive scanner for his poor performances in the three formats. The batter failed in the entire ICC Champions Trophy 2025 and his poor outing was the main reason why the team failed to win a single game in the tournament.

Babar Azam is the leading run-getter for the Pakistan National Cricket Team in the T20Is

Babar Azam, however, has a decent record in the T20Is but he has often been criticized for his strike rate. The premier batter is the leading run-getter for the Pakistan National Cricket Team in the format, and his experience in the Asia Cup and T20 World Cup might come in handy for the team.

Babar has scored 4223 runs in 128 games in T20Is for the Pakistan National Cricket Team. The right-hander has a career strike rate of under 130, which is well below the standards in modern-day cricket. He also has slammed 3 centuries and 36 fifties in the format.

Also read: Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan thrown out of New Zealand tour, new Pakistan captain selected