Pakistan’s star batter Babar Azam has officially returned to the national T20I squad ahead of the upcoming series against South Africa, replacing Fakhar Zaman, who has been rested to focus on improving his one-day form. The announcement was made by Pakistan head coach Mike Hesson, who confirmed that the decision was part of a long-term plan to balance the team’s batting strategy.
Hesson explained that Babar’s inclusion came after discussions with the team management and selection committee. “It’s great to have Babar back in the side. His class and consistency make a huge difference, especially in pressure situations,” said Hesson. He also revealed that Babar will play a role at number three, instead of his usual opening position — a move designed to strengthen the middle order and give Pakistan more flexibility in chasing and setting totals.
The coach further elaborated that Fakhar Zaman had personally agreed to take a break from the T20 format to focus on refining his ODI performances. “Fakhar is a key part of our white-ball setup, but he wants to work on his game right now. This break will help him come back stronger,” Hesson added.
Regarding team balance, Mike Hesson emphasized that Babar’s return was not a short-term experiment but part of a broader strategy for the 2026 T20 World Cup. “We see Babar as an essential part of Pakistan’s T20 plans going forward,” he said.
Meanwhile, Mohammad Haris has been dropped from the squad. Hesson described it as a “developmental phase” for the young wicketkeeper-batter, highlighting that he needs to refine his shot selection and front-foot play in domestic competitions before making a comeback.
With Babar Azam back under Mike Hesson’s guidance, Pakistan’s T20 lineup looks to regain its balance and composure ahead of the challenging South Africa series. Fans and analysts alike will be eager to see how the batting reshuffle impacts Pakistan’s performance.
