Babar Azam T20I Return Likely Ahead of Asia Cup 2025 – PCB Set to Recall Former Captain

Babar Azam Back in T20I Mix? Reports Hint at Return Ahead of Asia Cup 2025

Babar Azam Likely to Return for Asia Cup as PCB Rethinks T20 Strategy

Pakistan cricket finds itself at yet another crossroads, and this time, the spotlight is firmly back on one man Babar Azam. Reports are swirling that the former T20I captain, widely considered one of the nation’s finest modern-day batters, is being lined up for a return to the shortest format ahead of the Asia Cup 2025. Following a humbling 4-1 series defeat in New Zealand, the Pakistan Cricket Board is reportedly reconsidering its youth-only strategy and Babar’s name is right back in the selection mix.

Pakistan’s T20I side has experimented with fresh faces over the past few months, and the results have been far from promising. The New Zealand tour, led by interim skipper Salman Ali Agha, exposed some glaring weaknesses particularly in the batting department. Talents like Mohammad Haris, Irfan Khan Niazi, and Abdul Samad were given their chances, but none of them produced the consistency needed at the international level. Haris, once seen as a T20 dynamo, could muster only 65 runs across five innings, and the rest fared no better.

Now, with Babar Azam T20I return on the cards, the selectors seem ready to bring experience back into the fold.

Babar Azam’s T20I Absence – A Risk That Didn’t Pay Off

It wasn’t long ago that Babar Azam was stripped of the T20I captaincy, with the board making a strategic call to reboot their white-ball approach. Critics pointed at his conservative strike rate, hovering in the high 120s, as one of the reasons behind Pakistan’s lack of firepower at the top. With the ICC T20 World Cup 2026 approaching, the idea was to develop a team built on aggression and adaptability. Unfortunately for Pakistan, the execution left much to be desired.

What followed was a selection policy that sidelined senior players including Mohammad Rizwan and handed responsibility to untested names. While that strategy can work with clear planning and form, it’s backfired due to inconsistent performances and a lack of match awareness. Against a second-string but tactically sharp New Zealand side, Pakistan’s middle order repeatedly collapsed, turning what could’ve been close contests into one-sided affairs.

That’s why the buzz around a Babar Azam T20 comeback has picked up so rapidly.

Strike Rate Under the Scanner, But Quality Still Undeniable

Let’s address the elephant in the room Babar’s strike rate. Yes, he’s often been criticized for his inability to accelerate in T20 cricket. While his overall record 4223 runs in 128 matches at an average of 41.36 is impressive, his strike rate of under 130 remains a talking point. In a format where teams are chasing 200+ totals regularly, anchor roles are now expected to come with a second gear.

However, that doesn’t mean Babar’s place in the side is unjustifiable. What he offers is stability and the ability to play long innings under pressure. His three centuries and 36 fifties in T20Is speak of a player who understands pacing an innings. The PCB, according to insiders, believes that with the right approach and a clearer batting role Babar can still be a pivotal figure at No. 3 or 4, allowing others around him to attack.

Sources also suggest that the Babar Azam Asia Cup comeback is contingent on his performance in the upcoming Pakistan Super League (PSL 10), where he’ll once again lead Peshawar Zalmi. PCB has reportedly told him that selection will depend on both impact and intent. In other words, reputation alone won’t cut it.

Changing Tides Within PCB After New Zealand Drubbing

Following Pakistan’s T20I series loss in New Zealand, the internal mood at PCB has shifted. A move that was initially marketed as a necessary overhaul has now come under widespread scrutiny. The fans have voiced their displeasure, former cricketers have criticized the absence of senior figures, and even current players have reportedly expressed concerns about directionless strategy.

Aaqib Javed, one of the most vocal figures in Pakistan cricket’s ecosystem, stated clearly that the team needs players who can play with “intent” and adapt to modern white-ball demands. Ironically, it’s Babar Azam’s intent that was once questioned yet it’s the lack of leadership and tactical maturity that now seems to hurt the team most.

Hence, the idea of a Babar Azam T20I return for Asia Cup 2025 is gaining traction—not as a nostalgic decision, but as a necessary recalibration.

Will PSL 10 Be Babar’s Selection Trial

If recent media reports are accurate, PSL 10 starting April 11 will serve as Babar’s unofficial audition. He’ll be expected to lead Peshawar Zalmi from the front and showcase a more aggressive side to his game. With selectors watching closely, every innings will carry added weight.

This could be a turning point for Babar’s white-ball legacy. No longer the golden child of Pakistan cricket, he’s now a senior pro looking to reassert relevance in a squad desperate for direction. And if he does make a statement, the Asia Cup and T20 World Cup spots may once again be his to lose.

Return of the King or Last Roll of the Dice

Whether this turns out to be Babar’s triumphant return or his last shot at T20 international glory, the moment is significant. Pakistan is still searching for the right T20 identity balancing youth with experience, aggression with composure. Bringing back Babar Azam might help provide that balance, especially if he adapts to the current demands.

The upcoming weeks will be critical. From his performances in PSL to the PCB’s willingness to compromise, everything points to a dynamic but uncertain return. But one thing’s for sure: Babar Azam isn’t out of the picture just yet.