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Babar's T20I return still possible; report claims Naseem's inclusion in PAK squad for SA series

Debashis Sarangi

Babar Azam and Naseem Shah [Source: AFP]Babar Azam and Naseem Shah [Source: AFP]

According to emerging reports, experienced batter Babar Azam is still in contention for a T20I comeback for the upcoming series against South Africa. The veteran cricketer, who was dropped from Pakistan's Asia Cup 2025 squad, can make is way back to the team for the series, which will be played between October 28 and November 1. Meanwhile, ace speedster Naseem Shah could also be considered for a T20I comeback, with Pakistan planning to rest Shaheen Afridi and drop Haris Rauf from the side. 

Babar Azam's T20I comeback dream is not over yet

Currently, the Pakistan cricket team is participating in a two-match Test series against South Africa. After the red-ball series, both teams will collide in a three-game T20I leg in Lahore and Rawalpindi. 

Although Babar Azam was dropped from Pakistan's Asia Cup squad, Geo Super has reported that the selectors have not yet ruled him out of their T20 plans. The report states that the selectors won't overlook any player and Babar, being their highest run-getter, could make a wildcard entry into the side. So, how Babar performs in the South Africa Test series might decide his fate, with the PCB selection committee likely to announce the squad in the upcoming days. 

Naseem Shah might return to T20Is through PAK vs SA series

Geo Super has also reported that experienced speedster Naseem Shah could make his T20I return through the South Africa series. The right-arm pacer missed out on selection for the Asia Cup following his torrid run in the shortest format. However, with Shaheen Afridi likely to be rested due to workload management and Haris Rauf likely to lose his place following his flop show in the Asia Cup final, the PCB selection committee might give Naseem another opportunity to prove his worth in T20I cricket. 

Possible reasons why Pakistan could bring Babar back into T20Is

Although Sahibzada Farhan looked in great touch and Fakhar Zaman emerged as Pakistan's second most successful batter in the Asia Cup, the failures of Saim Ayub, Agha Salman and Hussain Talat highlighted the vulnerability of Pakistan's batting unit. So, Babar Azam, who has the most runs for Pakistan in T20I cricket, might return to help the Men in Green stabilise their batting order before the T20 World Cup next year. 

Spin-friendly pitch likely for PAK vs SA T20Is

As per the report, the PCB has asked the curators not to prepare flat batting wickets, considering it might backfire on the hosts against South Africa's power-packed batting lineup. In such a scenario, we might see spin-friendly pitches in the T20I series as well, with Pakistan likely to include all three of Mohammad Nawaz, Abrar Ahmed and Sufiyan Muqeem to spearhead their spin-heavy bowling unit in the series.