Babar Azam Returns — and a New Pakistan Squad Takes Shape
By Buzz Pakistan Sports Desk
Pakistan cricket is entering a fascinating new era — one that balances continuity with bold experimentation. The most awaited headline, however, belongs to one man: Babar Azam. After months away from the shortest format, the star batter is back in the T20I squad as Pakistan announces its complete white-ball line-up for the home series against South Africa, Sri Lanka, and Zimbabwe.
This recall marks not just a personal comeback, but also the beginning of Pakistan’s broader white-ball revival — a time when leadership, identity, and player dynamics are all undergoing thoughtful evolution.
Babar Azam’s Return: The Heartbeat of Pakistan’s Revival
For years, Babar Azam has been the face of Pakistan cricket — elegant, composed, and relentless in pursuit of excellence. His absence from the T20I setup in recent months had fueled speculation about form, strike rate, and future role. Yet, the selectors’ decision to bring him back reveals something more powerful: trust.
Babar’s class is undeniable. Across formats, he remains Pakistan’s most technically sound batter — a player capable of transforming innings through composure rather than chaos. His recall serves a dual purpose: stabilizing the batting order and mentoring the next generation of stroke-makers who look up to him as their benchmark.
This time, though, Babar’s role may be different. Without the captaincy burden, he has the freedom to focus purely on batting — to rediscover the fearless yet fluent version of himself that once dominated global rankings. Expect him to play a guiding hand for youngsters like Saim Ayub, Usman Khan, and Hasan Nawaz, shaping their temperament through his example on and off the field.
Leadership Changes: Passing the Torch
While Babar’s return dominates headlines, there’s another major shift in Pakistan cricket’s structure. Salman Ali Agha has been retained as T20I captain, signaling continuity and faith in his growing leadership credentials. He has earned respect for his calm, team-first approach — a quality Pakistan has long sought in its white-ball captains.
On the ODI front, Shaheen Shah Afridi will captain the national side for the very first time — a bold but calculated move. At just 25, Shaheen already embodies the modern Pakistani spirit: fearless, disciplined, and passionate. His leadership in ODIs marks a new chapter, one that positions him as a potential long-term captain across formats.
Together, Salman and Shaheen represent Pakistan’s future leadership — young, aggressive, and tactically evolving — while Babar stands as the stabilizing constant between eras.
A Closer Look at the New Squads
T20I Squad: Rebirth of a Dynamic Core
Pakistan’s 15-member T20I squad features a blend of experience and fresh energy:
- Babar Azam, Shaheen Afridi, and Mohammad Nawaz bring seasoned strength.
- Saim Ayub and Usman Khan offer explosive batting options up top.
- Naseem Shah returns, adding firepower to the pace attack alongside Shaheen.
- Usman Tariq receives his maiden call-up — a promising youngster known for his clean striking and fearless intent.
- Abdul Samad and Sahibzada Farhan are both retained, ensuring depth and flexibility in the middle order.
This combination reflects a strategic focus: balancing controlled aggression with reliable anchors. The inclusion of several power-hitters points to Pakistan’s intent to modernize its T20 approach — playing faster, sharper, and bolder cricket.
ODI Squad: Building for the Future
Led by Shaheen Afridi, the 16-member ODI side blends Pakistan’s experienced backbone with exciting prospects:
- Veterans like Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan, and Fakhar Zaman maintain stability in the batting order.
- Rising stars such as Haseebullah, Faisal Akram, and Hasan Nawaz symbolize the generational shift in motion.
- The bowling unit — featuring Naseem Shah, Abrar Ahmed, Mohammad Wasim Jr., and Haris Rauf — remains one of Pakistan’s most balanced in recent years, offering pace, mystery spin, and variety.
This squad’s design hints at long-term planning. With the ODI Champions Trophy and next year’s T20 World Cup in focus, selectors are clearly testing depth across roles and conditions.
Why These Series Matter
The upcoming home series will unfold across Rawalpindi, Lahore, and Faisalabad, giving Pakistan a strategic advantage. But it’s not just about winning on familiar pitches — it’s about experimentation under real match pressure.
The South Africa T20I series will test Pakistan’s adaptability and batting tempo, while the ODI contests against South Africa and Sri Lanka will serve as a rehearsal for tournament play. The Tri-series involving Zimbabwe will allow further rotation and assessment of bench strength — especially among new faces like Usman Tariq and Haseebullah.
This run of fixtures offers an ideal testing ground for combinations, leadership approaches, and performance benchmarks before the global tournaments ahead.
The Bigger Picture: Pakistan’s Evolving Identity
Cricket in Pakistan has often swung between extremes — brilliance and inconsistency, stability and chaos. But the current setup reflects something new: a sense of purpose.
The selection committee’s approach feels deliberate — retaining experienced pillars like Babar Azam while gradually introducing the next wave of cricketers who can carry Pakistan into the future. The inclusion of young talent across both squads proves that Pakistan is no longer rebuilding; it’s redefining.
The blend of youth and experience shows a team ready to evolve — tactically, mentally, and emotionally. And with players like Babar providing mentorship while leaders like Shaheen and Salman take charge, Pakistan cricket finally seems aligned toward a unified direction.
Final Word
Babar Azam’s comeback is more than a recall — it’s symbolic of Pakistan’s journey toward balance. He returns to a setup that is younger, hungrier, and more fearless than before. Yet, his calm precision and world-class pedigree remain central to Pakistan’s hopes of resurgence.
The home white-ball season ahead could very well redefine the narrative — transforming Pakistan from a side of potential into one of purpose and performance. With Babar’s artistry, Shaheen’s leadership, and a new generation eager to make their mark, Pakistan cricket stands on the cusp of something special.
