Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has made some tactical tweaks for the T20I series against South Africa, with one name once again at the centre of it all: Babar Azam.
As the Men in Green prepare to face South Africa in a three-match T20I series starting October 28, head coach Mike Hesson has shed light on the team’s plans and Babar’s batting position.
Hesson Confirms Babar’s Role in the Line-up
Speaking ahead of the series opener in Rawalpindi, Hesson confirmed that Babar is likely to walk in at number three, a role that could allow him to anchor the innings while giving Pakistan’s younger top order some breathing space.
“I certainly endorse his selection, and he is likely to bat at number three. I am hoping that he will do well,” Hesson said while addressing the media.
Babar Azam, who last featured in a limited-overs game against South Africa in 2024, returns to the fold with both experience and purpose.
Haris and Fakhar Miss Out
The announcement of the T20I squad raised a few eyebrows, particularly with Mohammad Haris and Fakhar Zaman missing out. But Hesson was quick to clarify the reasoning behind their absence.
“Fakhar has been rested so that he returns fresh for the ODIs,” he explained. “We gave Mohammad Haris several opportunities, but he couldn’t make the most of them. He’s a young player and needs to improve his batting in domestic cricket.”
Babar Poised to Break Rohit Sharma’s Record
If the tactical adjustments weren’t enough to spark excitement, there’s history on the horizon. Babar Azam stands just nine runs away from surpassing Rohit Sharma as the leading run-scorer in men’s T20Is.
Here’s how the current leaderboard looks:
- Rohit Sharma – 4,231 runs in 159 matches
- Babar Azam – 4,223 runs in 128 matches
- Virat Kohli – 4,188 runs in 125 matches
- Jos Buttler – 3,869 runs in 144 matches
Series Schedule and Squad Overview
The T20I series kicks off at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on October 28, before moving to Lahore for the remaining fixtures on October 31 and November 2 at the Gaddafi Stadium.
Here’s Pakistan’s squad for the series:
Salman Ali Agha (captain), Abdul Samad, Abrar Ahmed, Babar Azam, Faheem Ashraf, Hasan Nawaz, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Wasim Jnr, Mohammad Salman Mirza, Naseem Shah, Sahibzada Farhan, Saim Ayub, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Usman Khan (wicket-keeper), Usman Tariq.
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