When you ask Babar Azam to pick a dream T20I XI, you know you’re in for something special. The Peshawar Zalmi skipper — and arguably Pakistan’s finest modern batter — recently dropped his ideal playing XI on the Off Topic Zalmi Podcast.
But there was a catch: only two players per country were allowed. That made things very interesting.
Two Pakistani Players in the List
First things first, yes — Mohammad Rizwan is in the team. Babar didn’t hesitate to include his longtime friend and opening partner, and honestly, would you expect anything less?
The chemistry between the two at the top of the order has been one of Pakistan’s strongest assets in T20Is over the years. And here’s the kicker: Rizwan isn’t the only Pakistani on the list.
While most expected Babar to pick himself, he humbly stepped aside and instead picked Fakhar Zaman, Pakistan’s explosive left-hander who can change a game in a few overs.
Read More: Misbah-ul-Haq to Return as Pakistan’s Red-Ball Head Coach?
So that’s Rizwan and Fakhar representing the Green Shirts. Balance? Check. Power? Double check.
Rest of the Team
From across the border, Rohit Sharma and Suryakumar Yadav made the cut — and rightfully so.
Rohit brings calmness, experience, and swagger at the top, while SKY’s unorthodox strokeplay and fearless approach make him a nightmare for bowlers.
You can’t build a T20 XI without including someone like Jos Buttler. The former England captain is one of the most dangerous white-ball players in the world, and Babar knows it.
To balance it out, he chose Mark Wood — the express pacer who can rattle any batter with raw pace and sharp bounce.
Read More: Mike Hesson Wants Babar-Rizwan in Pakistan’s T20 Plans Again
From South Africa, Babar selected David Miller, the ultimate finisher, and Marco Jansen, the tall, lanky left-arm seamer who also packs a punch with the bat.
Miller’s ability to hold his nerve in crunch situations makes him a must-have, while Jansen’s versatility as a bowling all-rounder adds crucial depth to the squad.
Two Aussies — Pat Cummins and Mitchell Starc — made the cut, and you can’t really argue. Starc brings toe-crushing yorkers, while Cummins offers pace, bounce, and leadership. Together, they can run through any batting order on their day.
No surprises here: Rashid Khan rounds off the XI. He’s been the poster boy of Afghan cricket and arguably the best T20 spinner in the world.
Whether it’s the Powerplay, middle overs, or death, Rashid can do it all — and Babar, having faced him plenty of times, clearly knows his value.
The World T20I XI of Babar Azam
Here’s Babar Azam’s Dream T20I XI:
-
Rohit Sharma (India)
-
Mohammad Rizwan (Pakistan)
-
Fakhar Zaman (Pakistan)
-
Suryakumar Yadav (India)
-
Jos Buttler (England)
-
David Miller (South Africa)
-
Marco Jansen (South Africa)
-
Rashid Khan (Afghanistan)
-
Pat Cummins (Australia)
-
Mitchell Starc (Australia)
-
Mark Wood (England)
Stay tuned to Brandsynario for the latest news and updates.