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Babar Azam returns to Pakistan’s T20 squad against South Africa, aiming to surpass Rohit Sharma’s record and address Mike Hesson’s concerns about his strike rate and technique.
Babar Azam last played a T20I for Pakistan in December 2024 (PTI/AP)
Babar Azam has a chance to address Pakistan coach Mike Hesson’s queries about his technique and skills in Twenty20 cricket during three matches against South Africa starting Tuesday.
Babar, who needs just nine runs to surpass Rohit Sharma’s record of 4,231 runs in men’s T20 internationals, has not been included in the format since December. In his absence, Pakistan has played 26 T20Is.
Babar has scored 4,223 runs at an average of 39.83, but Hesson has expressed concerns about his strike rate of 129.22 and sought improvements in his technique.
Since taking over in July, Hesson has preferred Sahibzada Farhan, Saim Ayub, and Fakhar Zaman for the top three batting positions.
Without Babar, Pakistan won a home series against Bangladesh, then lost 2-1 in Bangladesh. Pakistan also secured a 2-1 victory against the West Indies and triumphed in the tri-series in the United Arab Emirates before losing three times to India in the Asia Cup.
Why Is Babar Azam Back?
Fakhar Zaman’s absence for the South Africa series has prompted Hesson to reinstate Babar at No. 3, a position where he has scored 1,166 runs in 35 T20Is at an average of 44.84.
According to Hesson, Zaman opted to play first-class cricket to prepare for the one-day international series against South Africa in Faisalabad next month, and the team management agreed to give the left-hander a break from T20Is.
“It’s a great opportunity to get Babar back into the squad,” Hesson said. “He’s likely to bat at three so it’s a role that I’m very confident that he’ll be able to do well, and it also gives our squad some options coming into the World Cup.”
Babar has a strong fan base and received loud cheers in Lahore and Rawalpindi during the drawn Test series against South Africa. When Babar was out, many spectators left the stadiums.
Babar scored 131 runs in four Test innings against South Africa, falling to spinners three times. His highest score of 50 did not prevent Pakistan from suffering an eight-wicket loss at Rawalpindi in the second Test.
(With inputs from AP)
Ritayan Basu, Senior Sub-Editor, Sports at News18.com. Has been covering domestic and and international football for nearly a decade. Has played and covered badminton. Ocassionally writes cricket content, havin…Read More
Ritayan Basu, Senior Sub-Editor, Sports at News18.com. Has been covering domestic and and international football for nearly a decade. Has played and covered badminton. Ocassionally writes cricket content, havin… Read More
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