Babar's place in threat; Fakhar doubtful: How SA series could influence Pakistan's ODI selection

Babar Azam and Fakhar Zaman sustain lean patch [Source: AFP]

Pakistan had a memorable outing in the ODI series against South Africa, defeating the visitors by 2-1. Despite losing the second ODI by eight wickets, the hosts bounced back remarkably, scripting a historic series win with an emphatic victory in the decider. 

While some players performed admirably for Pakistan, some let them down with a string of poor outings. As the series has concluded, we analyse what the Men in Green's mindset will be while deciding their ODI combination going forward. 

Babar Azam, Fakhar Zaman's ODI selection in question

(Babar and Fakhar's middling returns in PAK vs SA ODIs)

• As evidenced by the above stats, Babar Azam and Fakhar Zaman were far from their best in the ODI series against Pakistan and South Africa. Both batters managed 45 runs each, striking at abysmal rates. 
• It's important to note that Babar Azam hasn't had a great year in ODIs, amassing 379 runs across 14 innings at a modest average of 27.07. Meanwhile, Fakhar Zaman's form, age and fitness concerns cast doubts over his place in ODI cricket. Considering he is almost 36 and the next World Cup is in 2027, it won't be surprising if Pakistan discard him from their long-term plans. 
• Thus, Babar and Fakhar's ODI places are in serious doubt, and Pakistan could either go back to Imam-ul-Haq or introduce Sahibzada Farhan to the 50-over setup as a potential World Cup prospect if the duo fails to deliver in the upcoming series against Sri Lanka. 

Rizwan, Agha Salman's ODI spots safe for now

(Rizwan and Agha Salman performed magnificently vs SA)

• Mohammad Rizwan and Agha Salman were under immense pressure to step up in the South Africa ODIs. While Rizwan had just lost the ODI captaincy to Shaheen Afridi, Agha Salman earned massive backlash for his failure in the Asia Cup, both as a batter and skipper. 
• However, both these players performed admirably in the South Africa series, showcasing exemplary batting form. The outside noise hardly affected Rizwan and Salman, who formed the backbone of Pakistan's batting unit. The keeper-batter slammed 91 crucial runs, while Salman exhibited all-round prowess, scoring 136 runs, including two half centuries and scalping two wickets. 
• So, following their heroics against South Africa, Rizwan and Agha Salman will likely get the team management's backing as Pakistan's number four and five in the upcoming assignments. 

---

ALSO READ

Saim Ayub and Abrar Ahmed hammer South Africa as Pakistan clinch ODI series

---

Saim Ayub to get a long rope

(Saim Ayub's excellent returns vs SA)

• Saim Ayub had an extremely poor ODI record in 2025 before the South Africa series, managing just 28 runs, including a duck, across three innings. Given that he also flopped in the Asia Cup, Saim was certainly under the pump to deliver and save his place in Pakistan's ODI XI. 
• The South Africa series witnessed Saim Ayub's renaissance, as the left-hander not only amazed the spectators with his stroke play but also troubled the visiting batters consistently with his wily spin bowling. 
• Apart from scoring 169 runs, Ayub bagged two wickets, giving Pakistan the assurance of having a quality all-rounder in their ODI setup. Thus, Saim certainly gave a lifeline to his ODI career, and Pakistan will likely consider him as a long-term all-round prospect from the 2027 World Cup perspective from now onwards. 

Sufiyan Muqeem, Hasan Nawaz could be on the sidelines

Left-arm wrist spinner Sufiyan Muqeem lost his ODI place, with Faisal Akram replacing him in the Pakistan squad for the home series against South Africa and Sri Lanka. 

Now, as Abrar Ahmed emerged as Pakistan's wrecker-in-chief in the South Africa series, scalping seven wickets in just two innings, the Men in Green will likely persist with him as their frontline spinner for the time being. 

Given that Pakistan have Saim, Salman and Faisal to assist Abrar in the spin-bowling department, Sufiyan Muqeem's ODI comeback seems a distant possibility. 

On the other hand, swashbuckling batter Hasan Nawaz could be sidelined from both ODI and T20I squads due to poor form. 

The batter has managed only 119 runs in his last eleven innings in white-ball cricket at a horrendous average of 10.81. Also, according to reports, Abdul Samad could replace him in Pakistan's ODI squad for the Sri Lanka series. In such a scenario, Hasan Nawaz's ODI and T20I career seems to be in jeopardy after the South Africa home series. 

---

ALSO READ

Rizwan puts full stop on rift rumours with new Pakistan ODI captain Shaheen Afridi

---