Babar Azam back, Salman Agha removed: Changes Pakistan should make in T20I squad vs SA

Changes in Pakistan T20Is [Source: AFP Photo]

The Pakistan side is currently focusing on the red-ball match against South Africa, but once the Test is done and dusted, the focus will shift towards the T20Is against the same opposition. While the Proteas have gone from strength to strength in the T20I format, Pakistan’s level has gone down and it was witnessed in the Asia Cup as they lost in the finale.

Several players might face PCB’s wrath after the Asia Cup loss as the squad will soon be announced by the selectors. In this article, we look at 3 changes the selectors must make in the squad to beat the South African side in the game’s shortest format.

1) Bring Babar back, remove Mohammad Haris

Pakistan made a surprising call by snubbing Babar Azam from the Asia Cup 2025 squad as they decided to try out the youngsters in the team - a move that failed to deliver the goods. Mohammad Haris was one of the players from whom the management had a lot of expectations, but the batter simply couldn’t score in the Asia Cup.

(Mohammad Haris in Asia Cup)

• The batter criticised Babar Azam for his strike rate, but he, himself, had average numbers to showcase. Pakistan already has Sahibzada Farhan and Saim Ayub as the two openers, and hence, they don’t need Haris in the squad.
• Instead, the team should bring back Babar, who has a brilliant track record against South Africa, and can easily bat in the top 3, with Fakhar moving down the order.

2) Remove Salman Agha as captain

This decision is a no-brainer, and it should be at the top of the list for the team management and selectors. Salman Ali Agha is a good Test and ODI batter, but his T20I numbers are underwhelming, and some of his captaincy decisions also came under scrutiny in the Asia Cup.

(Salman Agha in Asia Cup)

• Generally, captains lead from the front, but that was not the case with Salman Agha, as he failed as a batter in the Asia Cup and often put pressure on the other batters. His batting style never suited the T20 game, and perhaps the selectors should take the harsh call by removing him as the captain.

3) Drop Haris Rauf

• Pakistan is a land of excellent fast bowlers, and yet, they have to play with Haris Rauf in the T20Is. This format demands variation in the attack, and Rauf lacks it as he keeps on giving pace on deliveries, and this allows the batters to feast on him.
• A prime example of this was the Asia Cup final against India. The Men in Blue were on the backfoot before Rauf’s spell changed the game for India. In a low-scoring game, he conceded 50 runs in 22 balls and helped India win the contest. Pakistan need pacers with variations, and perhaps time has come to drop him from the squad.

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