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Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan can come back into Pakistan's T20 team - here's how
Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan can come back into Pakistan's T20 team - here's how

The National

timea day ago

  • Sport
  • The National

Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan can come back into Pakistan's T20 team - here's how

For close to five years, Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan have been the faces of Pakistan cricket. The pair have played a significant role in numerous victories, none more memorable than their unbeaten partnership of 152 runs that handed Pakistan their first win against India in the ICC men's World Cup of any format in Dubai in 2021. Yet, for the third consecutive T20 International series this year, including a tour to New Zealand, a home series against Bangladesh, and the upcoming Bangladesh tour, neither player has been selected for the T20 squad. The omission comes despite them being the top two run-scorers in the world in T20Is over the past five years. Rizwan has amassed 3,229 runs while Babar has 2,752, but they have done so at strike rates hovering just below 130, a figure which is seen as outdated in modern T20 cricket. Starting from the tour of New Zealand earlier this year, Pakistan's selection strategy for T20 cricket has had a noticeable shift. The focus has moved away from runs accumulation to intent, impact and strike rate. As a result, the quickest two centuries in Pakistan's T20I history happened this year: Hasan Nawaz's 44-ball ton in Auckland and Mohammad Haris' 45-ball century in Lahore. In the recent series against Bangladesh, Pakistan also scored back-to-back 200s for the first time in seven years. This new approach is also reflected in the recently selected squad for the Bangladesh series, which features five of the top seven T20 batters by strike rate since the start of 2024: Hasan Nawaz, Faheem Ashraf, Sahibzada Farhan, Mohammad Haris and Khushdil Shah. The two from the top seven missing out are Azam Khan, largely due to fitness concerns, and Haider Ali, who appears to have been ignored after being given multiple opportunities in recent years. Though it can be argued perhaps Haider deserved another go as a late-order hitter, potentially in place of Hussain Talat. The presence of Salman Agha and Talat, batters whose strike rates are relatively modest, suggests that Pakistan haven't entirely abandoned the idea of including anchors. Among Pakistani batters with at least 500 T20 runs since 2024, Talat ranks 14th in strike rate (136.72), Agha sits 18th (133.44) and Babar, just a step behind, ranks 19th (132.20). Agha might not be an explosive batter, but his leadership has been a driving force behind Pakistan 's move to high-intent batting and for that reason he does not occupy a specific spot in the batting order. During the recent Bangladesh series, he had three 50s in four innings. Even so, he demoted himself to number five to provide a better combination to the team. That is something which Pakistan's erstwhile captains were reluctant to do. Agha's value as an off-spinning option only strengthens his place in the squad. That said, it does not mean it is the end of the road for Babar and Rizwan in T20s. Both have been a part of Pakistan's training camp in Karachi where Mike Hesson, the team's white-ball coach, threw some weight behind Babar. 'Babar is competing with one of the opening positions at the moment. We have Fakhar and Saim in those roles at the moment, so he is competing for that,' Hesson said. Another factor that could go in favour of Babar is the next two important events: the T20 Asia Cup, for which UAE is the likely venue, and the T20 World Cup, where Pakistan will play all matches in Sri Lanka under the hybrid-model agreed with India. Both tournaments might produce a few games where totals close to 160 are par. The scoring rates in UAE (8.03) and Sri Lanka (7.87) in T20s since the start of 2024 are modest compared to the other major host nations. Plus, the pressure of high-octane games in the global events might occasionally require a batting style where you need to occupy the crease. In such environments, where power-hitting can be neutralised by a sticky pitch and scoreboard pressure, you might need more than one anchor in the team. Recent history backs this: three of the past six matches in the knockout stages of T20 World Cup – the final in Melbourne in 2022 and the semi-finals in Guyana and Trinidad in 2024 – didn't demand extraordinary strike-rates. All eight T20 World Cup clashes between India and Pakistan have produced low to moderate totals, the highest being India's 160 in Melbourne in 2022. Hesson's remarks also hint that despite Sahibzada Farhan's stellar form in 2025, in which he has most sixes (67) by a batter from Pakistan and four centuries, he may not be in the first choice XI. With Haris and Hasan Nawaz now at number three and four positions, Agha fluctuating in the middle-order and Fakhar and Saim preferred as openers, Farhan might find himself on the fringes despite his stunning record. And if that happens, Babar and Rizwan might not just be competing with Saim and Fakhar but also Farhan. Looking ahead, Pakistan have enough fixtures to optimise their squad before the 2026 T20 World Cup, scheduled for February and March in India and Sri Lanka. With at least 20 T20s, and up to 24 should Pakistan reach the Asia Cup final, Pakistan have ample opportunity for experimentation and refinement. But as Pakistan do not have any domestic T20s before the T20 World Cup, the only way Babar and Rizwan can reclaim their positions is by doing through something extraordinary in ODI cricket, a format in which Pakistan are scheduled to play nine matches (three each against West Indies, South Africa and Sri Lanka), or by putting a strong show in the Big Bash League where the duo are set to debut in December. Pakistan's upcoming T20 fixtures July - Bangladesh (Away, 3 matches) July-August - West Indies (Away, 3 matches) August - Afghanistan (Home, 3 matches) September - Asia Cup (Away, 2 to 6 matches) October - South Africa (Home, 3 matches) November - Sri Lanka (Home, 3 matches) February - Australia (Home, 3 matches) Pakistan's squad for Bangladesh T20I series Probable XI: Saim Ayub, Fakhar Zaman, Mohammad Haris (wk), Hasan Nawaz, Salman Agha, Khushdil Shah, Mohammad Nawaz, Faheem Ashraf, Abbas Afridi, Abrar Ahmed, Sufyan Moqim.

Pakistan includes Babar, Shaheen, Rizwan in 25-player pool for T20 World Cup
Pakistan includes Babar, Shaheen, Rizwan in 25-player pool for T20 World Cup

Business Recorder

time2 days ago

  • Sport
  • Business Recorder

Pakistan includes Babar, Shaheen, Rizwan in 25-player pool for T20 World Cup

Pakistan's T20I captain Salman Ali Agha on Monday revealed that the team management has finalised a 25-player pool with the upcoming ICC T20 World Cup in mind, focusing on building bench strength and long-term team stability. Speaking to media ahead of the team's departure for Bangladesh, Agha emphasised that Pakistan is strategically preparing a versatile group of players who can step up at any time. 'We want to have players ready who can replace anyone when needed. That's how we are working on our bench strength,' he said. He confirmed that the team management will continue rotating and testing these 25 players in the lead-up to the T20 World Cup. 'The plan is to see only these 25 players in action until the World Cup,' Agha noted. Babar Azam, Shaheen back in Pakistan squad for Australia tour Addressing the inclusion of senior players, the captain reaffirmed that Shaheen Shah Afridi, Babar Azam, and Mohammad Rizwan are all part of the World Cup pool. 'Shaheen's performance speaks for itself, he remains a crucial asset for Pakistan,' he added. Dropped: The rise and fall of Pakistan batting maestro Babar Azam Responding to a question about Mohammad Nawaz's surprise inclusion, Agha said the all-rounder was drafted in to replace the injured Shadab Khan. 'We were looking for someone with a similar profile to Shadab. Nawaz fits that role,' he explained, adding that performance fluctuates, but a player's potential must always be considered. The skipper further stated that a preparatory camp was held in Karachi keeping in mind the conditions of upcoming series. 'We trained here because of the favorable spin conditions, which resemble what we expect in the coming matches,' he said. Looking ahead, Agha said he's not concerned about the captaincy in future series. 'My focus is always on the current assignment. I want to extract the best performance from my players,' he said. Commenting on the challenge ahead, Agha warned that Bangladesh could be a formidable opponent in home conditions. 'They've beaten strong sides at home, we'll need to be at our best,' he said. Agha concluded by emphasizing the need for consistency in leadership and cricketing systems. 'One or two months are not enough to build results. I'm ready to do whatever it takes for Pakistan cricket to reach its potential,' he said.

Babar, Rizwan face axe from T20s
Babar, Rizwan face axe from T20s

Express Tribune

time3 days ago

  • Sport
  • Express Tribune

Babar, Rizwan face axe from T20s

The careers of three major pillars of the Pakistani cricket team – Babar Azam, Shaheen Shah Afridi and Mohammad Rizwan – appear to be hanging in the balance as they face selection dilemma for upcoming tours. Shaheen, Babar, and Rizwan – all once key members of the national team – are now being consistently overlooked, raising questions about the future of their international careers. Shaheen, 25, has seemingly fallen out of favor with selectors. After being left out of the home series against Bangladesh, he's now also been excluded from the return tour. Sources claim that selector Aaqib Javed cited Shaheen's underwhelming performance in New Zealand, saying he needs to correct his flaws. Ironically, Shaheen led Lahore Qalandars to a HBL Pakistan Super League title and was the tournament's top wicket-taker with 19 scalps. Aaqib had previously worked with him as part of the same franchise, though their relationship is now said to be strained. While vacationing in England with his family, Shaheen was called back by selectors, but was then left out of the squad without any prior notice. He reportedly found out through social media. Some media reports had suggested disciplinary issues as the reason for his omission, but a top PCB official refuted these claims, reiterating that the decision was based purely on cricketing grounds, and that the board had not issued any directive against his selection. "If there were disciplinary issues, he wouldn't have been invited to the training camp either," the official added. Regarding Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan, sources reveal that there is currently no plan to include them in the T20 squad. Coach Mike Hesson has already advised both players that they must adapt their playing approach in the shorter format and show some intent if they hope to make a comeback. Shaheen, Shadab Khan, and Salman Ali Agha are reportedly part of Mike Hesson's "core team", but will be rested periodically as part of a rotation policy. Shaheen might still be in contention for the upcoming West Indies tour, while Babar and Rizwan may be considered for the ODI squad. It's worth noting that Shadab is currently sidelined due to surgery, and the PCB is still in discussions to convert all three ODIs against the West Indies into T20 matches. If that happens, Babar and Rizwan's return could be delayed even further. Recently, in a media briefing, Coach Hesson said that Shaheen needs to improve his performance. He also dismissed rumors suggesting he had asked Babar Azam to take on wicketkeeping duties to re-enter the team. According to sources, these rumors were likely spread by "social media warriors" trying to drum up public support for the sidelined players. Pakistan Shaheens squad named for Eng tour The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has announced an 18-member squad for the Pakistan Shaheens' upcoming multi-format tour of England, scheduled to begin later this month. The tour will run from July 17 to August 6. Left-handed batter Saud Shakeel has been named captain and will lead a team that includes three other Test players: fast bowler Musa Khan, left-arm pacer Mir Hamza, and off-spinner Sajid Khan. The squad also features 14 emerging players, 11 of whom are under the age of 25. Among them are the top scorers from the most recent Quaid-e-Azam Trophy - Azan Awais and Maaz Sadaqat - along with Ali Zaryab, Haider Ali, Mohammad Suleman, Omair Bin Yousuf, and Shamyl Hussain, who strengthen the batting lineup. Rohail Nazir will serve as the wicketkeeper for the tour. The pace attack includes Mushtaq Ahmed, Shahid Aziz, and Ubaid Shah, while the spin department will be led by Sajid Khan, with support from Faisal Akram, Mehran Mumtaz, and Mubasir Khan. The team will assemble for a training camp at the Hanif Mohammad High-Performance Centre in Karachi before flying out to England on July 16. The final schedule and venues for the matches will be shared by the PCB in due course. Pakistan Shaheens squad: Saud Shakeel (captain), Ali Zaryab, Azan Awais, Faisal Akram, Haider Ali, Maaz Sadaqat, Mehran Mumtaz, Mir Hamza, Mohammad Suleman, Mubasir Khan, Musa Khan, Mushtaq Ahmed, Omair Bin Yousuf, Rohail Nazir (wk), Sajid Khan, Shahid Aziz, Shamyl Hussain, Ubaid Shah.

New Pakistan coach outlines return path for Babar and Afridi  ICC Men's T20 World Cup, 2026
New Pakistan coach outlines return path for Babar and Afridi  ICC Men's T20 World Cup, 2026

Int'l Cricket Council

time5 days ago

  • Sport
  • Int'l Cricket Council

New Pakistan coach outlines return path for Babar and Afridi ICC Men's T20 World Cup, 2026

New Pakistan white-ball coach Mike Hesson has revealed the steps that experienced duo Babar Azam and Shaheen Afridi must take to work their way back into the T20I side. Babar and Shaheen played a major role in helping Pakistan to consecutive appearances in the knockout stages of the ICC Men's T20 World Cup in 2021 and 2022, but have recently fallen out of favour in the shortest format and were notable absentees in Hesson's first squad that swept Bangladesh 3-0 on home soil at the start of last month. Babar Azam's exquisite cover drive | PAK v IND | Champions Trophy 2025 Babar Azam's exquisite cover drive | PAK v IND | Champions Trophy 2025 Hesson suggested Babar and Shaheen are both heavily still in his long-term plans for next year's T20 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka and the pair are currently in Karachi taking part in a training camp alongside their teammates that will travel to Bangladesh later this month for a three-match T20I series in Mirpur. Hesson clarified that Babar's way back into the team was not by taking the gloves and becoming Pakistan's first-choice keeper, but that the former skipper was in a battle with fellow top-order batters Fakhar Zaman and Saim Ayub for one of two spots as opener. "Firstly, Babar Azam is not seen as a wicket-keeping option, no," Hesson said. "Not sure where that came from, but I have heard that speculation. Babar is competing for one of the opening positions at the moment. But obviously we have Fakhar and Saim in those two roles at the moment, so he's competing for that." Screamer! Babar Azam takes a sharp reflex catch at first slip | T20WC 2022 Babar Azam took a stunning catch at first slip during Pakistan's clash against Zimbabwe in the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2022. Babar's strike-rate of 129.81 in T20I cricket is inferior to Fakhar (133.49) and Ayub (138.48) and Hesson admitted the right-hander needs to boost his scoring clip to stay relevant in the shortest format. "No doubt strike rate is important in T20 cricket but you have to combine it with a volume of runs," Hesson said. "There's a good reason why our ranking in T20 cricket is as low as it is, because our strike rates from a batting point of view are not high enough. We certainly made some shifts in that last series to play a more expansive game of cricket and probably catch up with the rest of the world, as that is the way the modern game is. "Babar is one of many who have the ability to make those improvements. And I'm here to work with them and help them. In the last month or so, he's made some really good changes. It's not just a matter of going from 125 to 150, it's a matter of increasing what you can offer because we're no doubt often 30-40 runs short with the bat. So, we need to find a way of getting that." Shaheen Afridi destroys Indian top order | 2021 | PAK v IND Shaheen Afridi destroys Indian top order | FanCraze Men's T20 World Cup Greatest Moments Hesson didn't reveal the exact areas that he wanted Afridi to improve in, but did suggest the left-armer needed to perform better with the white-ball. "Shaheen Shah Afridi is a world-class player. There's no doubt that we've identified some areas that Shaheen needs to work on, as does every player at this camp," Hesson noted. "But there's a good reason that he, and everybody else, is at this camp. They're in the wider frame for Pakistan in white-ball cricket and that includes T20 cricket. "Players go through good periods and periods where they're a little bit down in their game. And it's up to us as coaching staff to try and get our best players on the park and make them better, so when they play for Pakistan, they perform better. "We certainly don't discount quality players, but we try and work with them to help them come back stronger." ICC Men's T20 World Cup, 2026NewsBabar AzamShaheen Afridi

Pakistan coach Mike Hesson breaks silence on reports of asking Babar Azam to keep wickets for T20I comeback
Pakistan coach Mike Hesson breaks silence on reports of asking Babar Azam to keep wickets for T20I comeback

India.com

time5 days ago

  • Sport
  • India.com

Pakistan coach Mike Hesson breaks silence on reports of asking Babar Azam to keep wickets for T20I comeback

Pakistan coach Mike Hesson ended all speculations after reports surfaced of Babar Azam being asked to do wicketkeeping. New Delhi: Babar Azam remains unselected in Pakistan T20I team, and the right-handed batter will also miss the series against Bangladesh. Since he was dropped, it was reported that white-ball coach Mike Hesson has suggested to the ex-Pakistan captain the possibility of resuming wicket keeping duties as a means of getting his place back in the T20I team. But Mike Hesson has already silenced all rumours and clarified that he did not recommend Babar Azam to become a wicketkeeper. These reports sparked off criticism among various former cricketers with Rashid Latif, Basit Ali, Moin Khan and Sikander Bakht openly criticizing the reported proposal. Hesson gave a categorical answer and strongly maintained that he did not have such a dialogue with the 30-year-old. He also explained that should Babar Azam be called back into the T20I environment, he would re-enter the side as a top-order batsman the right-hander, in particular as an opener. 'No discussion took place with Babar where I suggested he also keep wickets. He has never kept wickets in his entire career, and you suggest he keep wickets. This is not the way to treat a former captain and senior,' Hesson told reporters. Rumours circulating that Pakistan cricket head coach Mike Hesson had told players they could be dropped because they had a strike rate below 150 were denied by him also. He made it clear that nothing of this sort has been discussed with the team. 'I have also not told the players that if they want to keep their places in the team, they have to bat at strike rates of over 150. We are working on some things in this direction,' Hesson said. Mike Hesson said that he is also working closely with the selection committee on finding players who can play several match roles in the T20I set-up. 'We are looking at players who are ready to float in the batting order and perform multiple roles, but that does not mean there will be no spot for specialist players,' Hesson said. The T20I series will begin on July 20. All the games are scheduled to take place at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium in Mirpur. Pakistan squad: Salman Ali Agha (Captain), Abrar Ahmed, Ahmed Daniyal, Faheem Ashraf, Fakhar Zaman, Hassan Nawaz, Hussain Talat, Khushdil Shah, Mohammad Abbas Afridi, Mohammad Haris, Mohammad Nawaz, Sahibzada Farhan, Saim Ayub, Salman Mirza, Sufyan Moqim.

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