Will Babar Azam Return to Pakistan's T20I Team for Asia Cup 2025?

Pakistan's star cricketer Babar Azam is all set to be a part of the national team's T20I set-up once again. Babar, who was dropped from the team following Pakistan's dismal performance in the T20 World Cup 2024, could get back into the team once again despite questions over his strike rate.

Babar has been one of the best T20 batters in the world over the last decade. However, his low strike rate in T20Is has often gone against him. The right-hander has been severely criticized for his inability to score runs quickly and as a result, he was dropped from Pakistan's T20I set-up completely.

Will Babar Azam Play Asia Cup 2025?

According to the reports in Cricket Pakistan, the Men in Green are all set to recall their premier batter Babar Azam in the team for the Asia Cup 2025. It is learned that the right-hander will return to the T20I setup during the tri-nation series ahead of the continental tournament. The tri-nation series will be played between Pakistan, Afghanistan, and the hosts UAE at Sharjah.

Babar Azam Asia Cup 2025 chances have increased following an injury to the opener Fakhar Zaman. The left-hander got injured during the ongoing series against the West Indies and has been ruled out of the remaining T20I and the upcoming ODI series as well.
The reports claimed that Fakhar Zaman has been asked to report to the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Lahore for his rehabilitation. Although the seriousness of his injury is yet to be known, clouds are looming over his participation in the Asia Cup 2025.
Hence, as a backup, Babar Azam's name has been discussed for the Asia Cup 2025. His return to the T20I team will depend on performance in the ODI series against the West Indies. The talismanic batter needs to perform well in the ODI series against the West Indies to make a comeback into the T20I team.

If he does well in the 50-over format, then he will be on the flight to the United Arab Emirates for the Asia Cup 2025. Babar is likely to perform well in the 50-over format as he has been one of the best ODI batters in the world for some time now. The rumors of Babar returning to the Pakistan T20I team took more headlines after the batter was spotted having a conversation with Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Mohsin Naqvi during the second T20I against the West Indies.

Babar Azam T20Is Stats

Babar Azam, along with the ODI captain of the team, Mohammad Rizwan and pacer Naseem Shah, were involved in a healthy conversation with the PCB chairman. Babar's return to the T20I team will be a big boost for the team, who have been struggling in the format.

Babar is the leading run-getter for Pakistan in the T20Is. In the 128 games, he has slammed 4223 runs at an average of around 40 to go with three centuries and 36 fifties. Before getting dropped from the team, he used to face a lot of criticism for his poor strike rate, which is 129.22 in the T20Is.

Pakistan to Play Tri-Series Ahead of Asia Cup

Ahead of the Asia Cup 2025, Pakistan will be locking horns with Afghanistan and the UAE in the tri-series. The series will begin on 29th August, with the final set to take place on 7th September. All the games will be played at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium, and the series will act as a great preparation for all three teams for the Asia Cup 2025.

Pakistan have been facing a tough time in the T20Is. They recently lost the series against Bangladesh and have been challenged by the West Indies in the ongoing T20I series. However, they would be keen to make a strong comeback in the tri-series and the Asia Cup 2025.

The Asia Cup 2025 will commence on 9th September, and the final is scheduled to take place on 28th September. Pakistan will open their campaign in the tournament against Oman on September 12. After that, they will play against the arch-rivals India on 14th September, with their last group clash to be played against UAE on September 17.