LAHORE, PAKISTAN: Pakistan’s star batter Babar Azam has made a much-anticipated return to the national T20I squad as the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) announced the squads for the upcoming home series against South Africa and the Tri-Series featuring Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe.
Babar, who last featured in a T20 match for Pakistan in December 2024 against South Africa, had been missing from the format for months amid selection changes and team restructuring. His comeback, widely celebrated by fans and analysts alike, is seen as a major boost for Pakistan’s batting order as the team looks to rebuild its white-ball momentum ahead of the 2025 international season.
The new squad reflects a strategic balance of youth and experience. Alongside Babar’s return, Naseem Shah has rejoined the T20 lineup after recovering from injury, while promising young players like Usman Tariq have been called up for their debut. The PCB also confirmed Salman Ali Agha as captain for the T20 side and Shaheen Shah Afridi to lead the ODI squad, signaling a generational transition in leadership.
Pakistan will face South Africa in a three-match T20 series starting October 28 in Rawalpindi, followed by two matches in Lahore on October 31 and November 1. The ODI leg will be played from November 4–8 in Faisalabad, before Pakistan hosts Sri Lanka for another ODI series from November 11–15, culminating with the Tri-Series from November 17–29 in Rawalpindi and Lahore.
Babar’s return marks more than just a lineup change — it represents a fresh chapter for Pakistan’s T20 ambitions. With his proven consistency and leadership experience, the focus will be on how he gels with emerging talents and helps the team regain its rhythm in high-pressure encounters.
Cricket fans across the country are already buzzing with excitement as the national side gears up for an action-packed home season that could redefine Pakistan’s white-ball trajectory.
This story has been reported by PakTribune. All rights reserved.