Tag: Babar Azam

Former Pakistan head coach Mickey Arthur has voiced his astonishment over the absence of star batter Babar Azam from the national T20I side during the ongoing ACC Asia Cup 2025.

Babar, currently the second-highest run-scorer in T20 internationals, has not featured in the format since Pakistan’s three-match away series against South Africa in December last year.

Despite his stature and experience, the selectors opted against recalling him for the Asia Cup, signalling their intent to build a younger core ahead of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026.

Arthur, who guided Pakistan to Champions Trophy glory in 2017, openly criticised the move on social media after the Green Shirts’ batting struggles against the UAE on Wednesday.

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“How Babar is not in this batting line up is totally beyond me!” he posted on X (formerly Twitter).

In their crucial group-stage clash against the UAE, Pakistan managed only 146-9 before their bowlers secured a 41-run win to seal Super Four qualification.

The batting frailties, however, have been a recurring theme. Pakistan’s highest total so far, 160/7 against Oman, relied heavily on Mohammad Haris’s late counterattack after yet another middle-order wobble.

Against India, their batting shortcomings were exposed further, collapsing to 127/9 in 20 overs in a one-sided defeat.

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Pakistan Test batter Fawad Alam has weighed in on the ongoing debate sparked by Fakhar Zaman’s remarks, where the opener labelled rising star Saim Ayub as the “updated version” of Babar Azam.

In a recent interview, Fawad dismissed such comparisons, calling them unfair to Pakistan’s former skipper.

He stressed that Babar’s body of work, both internationally and domestically, stands in a league of its own.

“In my opinion, such statements shouldn’t be made. You can’t compare anyone with Babar Azam,” Fawad said.

“He has delivered exceptional performances in all three formats. Even before he broke into the national team, his quality was evident in domestic cricket. I’ve seen first-hand that no one in the current setup comes close to him.”

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The conversation was triggered by a video shared by the Asian Cricket Council (ACC), where Fakhar praised Ayub’s flair and potential.

“Someone asked me in Lahore, and I told them Saim is Babar Azam’s updated version,” Fakhar had remarked.

“He is a very different player, and I believe he has not yet revealed 80 percent of his talent to the world.”

Pakistan’s white-ball head coach Mike Hesson also weighed in, acknowledging that Ayub is still finding his feet but already influencing outcomes.

“Look, Saim is a key player for us. If he scores runs, Pakistan usually wins,” Hesson said.

“It’s less about the volume of contributions and more about their impact, and Saim has shown he can be a match-winner.”

READ: Wasim Akram urges Pakistan to focus on Asia Cup glory beyond India clash

DUBAI: Pakistan top-order batter Fakhar Zaman has heaped high praise on  Saim Ayub, calling him an updated version of Babar Azam.

Saim has represented Pakistan in 8 Tests, 12 ODIs, and 41 T20Is. The southpaw has made headlines with his elegant strokeplay. His best in ODIs came against South Africa in 2024, where he scored two centuries in a 3-0 whitewash for Pakistan.

Overall, in 41 T20Is, Saim Ayub has accumulated 816 runs at an average of 22.05 and a strike rate of 136.45 with the help of four half-centuries.

Now, Fakhar Zaman has praised Saim Ayub and stated that about the batter’s skill during a video appearance on the social media handle of the Asian Cricket Council (ACC).

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“Someone asked me in Lahore and I told him that he is Babar Azam’s updated version,” Fakhar said.

“He is a very different player and I think he has not yet shown 80 per cent of himself to the world,” he added.

Alongside Fakhar, Pakistan’s white-ball head coach also lauded Saim Ayub as a linchpin for the team.

“Look, Saim is a key player for us and we know that if Saim scores runs, we generally win,” Hesson stated.

“It’s not so much contributions, it’s a matter of if it’s your day, you wi,n and Saim is certainly one of those players,” he concluded.

READ: India vs Pakistan: New Faces, Same Old Fire in Asia Cup 2025

DUBAI: Pakistan white-ball head coach Mike Hesson opened up on Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan’s strike rates amid the debate surrounding their style of play and the modern-day requirements of T20I cricket.

Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan are not part of Pakistan’s shorter format plans, with their previous appearance in the T20Is coming in December 2024 against South Africa.

Both players, who have captained Pakistan in T20Is, were left out of the team despite being the most successful pair in the shorter version of the game.

Speaking to the reporters in the pre-match press conference, Hesson addressed the debate surrounding the ace duo’s strike rates.

“I think being honest in your assessment of players is important. What matters is coming from a place with no agenda, being objective, and being clear. I haven’t talked about anyone’s frailties specifically, but I have alluded to the demands of the modern game,” he said.

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“The strike rates required in the powerplay, especially in good conditions, are different now than they used to be. Players ask for honesty—they want to know what they need to work on. If you provide that feedback, there’s always a way back for them, ” Hesson explained.

He emphasized honesty and team requirements, mentioning that it’s players’ responsibility to improve in certain areas.

“It’s not about liking a player or having a relationship with them; it’s about being honest about their role and what the team needs. Then it’s up to the players to work on those areas. That’s what I ask of anyone, whether they’re current players or trying to fight their way back into the team,” the coach said.

Mike Hesson highlighted team totals, stressing team team-first approach while noting that all other factors like strike rates, averages, and six counts are secondary.

“For me, it’s about the sum of the parts. What does the team achieve on the day, and is it good enough? Sometimes 150 is a winning score, sometimes 190 isn’t. It’s about assessing what’s required to win and whether we can get above that. That’s all that matters—not averages, not strike rates, not six counts,” he concluded.

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Former Pakistan captain Wasim Akram has thrown his support behind star batter Babar Azam, insisting that he still has a role to play in T20I cricket despite being left out of the Asia Cup 2025 squad.

Babar, currently the second-highest run-scorer in T20I history, has been sidelined from the format since the tour of South Africa in December last year.

His exclusion from the Asia Cup squad comes as Pakistan look to invest in young players ahead of next year’s ICC Men’s T20 World Cup.

Speaking to an Indian broadcaster, Akram highlighted Babar’s value in tricky run-chases, particularly on challenging pitches.

“I want Babar to be in T20Is. Just think about it, against stronger sides, if you’re chasing 150 or 160 on a slightly dodgy wicket, it’ll be difficult without a batter like him,” Akram said.

However, he also acknowledged that Babar and Mohammad Rizwan should have evolved their game according to the needs of modern-day cricket.

“You have to adjust your game, and that’s where he could be useful. But I also think this team is doing fine,” he stated further.

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“Babar and Rizwan were given four to five years as openers. They did well but not consistently enough, and that’s why the selectors have turned to new players.”

The legendary pacer also expressed confidence in Pakistan’s new-look T20I side led by Salman Ali Agha, praising their fearless approach.

“Babar is not there, Rizwan is not there. The idea was to move forward with youngsters,” he added.

“They’ve done well, maybe not consistently, but at least they play with the right mindset. They don’t fear losing, and when you fear losing, you crumble under pressure.”

Wasim Akram reserved special praise for captain Salman Ali Agha, calling him a selfless leader.

“Salman is a good captain; he leads from the front. He even sacrifices his batting position at No. 4 or 5, depending on the situation. I just hope they don’t make too many changes to this team. If they stick together, they can regularly beat top sides,” he concluded.

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SHARJAH: Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha echoed a similar statement regarding Mohammad Nawaz, who was labeled as the match-winner by former captain Babar Azam. 

In 2022, Pakistan skipper at that time Babar Azam called all-rounder Mohammad Nawaz his match-winner following the side’s defeat to India in the tense ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2022 fixture.

Mohammad Nawaz had to defend 15 runs in the final over of the crunch match against India in Melbourne. He took the wicket of Hardik Pandya. However, it was not enough for him to seal the victory for his side.

Talking to the players after the game, Babar Azam addressed Muhammad Nawaz and praised his efforts in the match.

“You are my match winner,” he had said. “I will always believe in you. You will win matches for me. The efforts were really good.”

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Now, Salman Ali Agha has echoed similar sentiments of ace batter Babar Azam.

“If Babar Azam says it, then he must be right. The kind of performance Mohammad Nawaz has given, particularly after making his way back into the team, is commendable.

“If you watch the series against the West Indies and against Bangladesh, he has performed outstandingly well,” he added.

He lauded Nawaz’s all-round contribution in the team, hailing him as a game-changer.

“He gives you such a margin that it seems like we are playing with twelve players on the team. He is a real match-winner,” Salman Ali Agha concluded.

For context, Mohammad Nawaz helped Pakistan seal the tri-series triumph over Afghanistan by a hefty margin of 75 runs.

Nawaz was pivotal in Pakistan success, taking a hat-trick-laced five-wicket haul that demolished the Afghanistan batting lineup.

Not only that, he also contributed with the bat, making a vital knock of 25 from 21 balls at the crucial stage of the game, which provided Pakistan a late flurry in the first innings.

He was eventually named the Player of the Series for his all-round performance. During the T20I tri-series, Nawaz took 10 wickets and made 120 runs in five matches.

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LAHORE: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has announced a red-ball training camp at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Lahore ahead of the upcoming home Test series against South Africa, with star batter Babar Azam among the participants.

The camp will run from September 9 to 28, giving players a three-week window for focused preparation ahead of the high-profile series.

A total of 11 players have been called up, with all set to report by September 8. Red-ball head coach Azhar Mahmood will lead the camp, assisted by NCA coaches and staff.

Alongside Babar Azam, Abdullah Shafique, Ali Raza, Azan Awais, Kamran Ghulam, Mohammad Ali, Mohammad Huraira, Mohammad Salman, Rohail Nazir, Sajid Khan, and Shamyl Hussain are also part of the training camp.

According to the PCB, these players were chosen as they are not currently featuring in the Hanif Mohammad Trophy, Pakistan’s premier domestic red-ball competition.

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Wicket-keeper Mohammad Rizwan and pace bowler Naseem Shah were unavailable for selection due to their ongoing commitments in the Caribbean Premier League (CPL) 2025.

The camp will feature scenario-based practice matches to replicate real-game situations, with an emphasis on skill development and match readiness.

The South Africa series will mark the start of Pakistan’s campaign in the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) 2025–27 cycle.

The two-match Test series begins in Lahore on October 12, followed by the second Test in Rawalpindi on October 20. The tour also features three ODIs and three T20Is.

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SHARJAH: Top-order batter Fakhar Zaman on Tuesday reached a landmark. becoming the sixth player to represent Pakistan in 100 T20Is during the tri-series fixture against Afghanistan here at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium.

The southpaw who made his T20I debut in 2017 against the West Indies entered an elusive list. Zaman joined the likes of Babar Azam, Mohammad Hafeez, and Shoaib Malik.

Babar Azam has played the most number of matches for Green Shirts in the shorter format of the game with 128 appearances to his name, whereas stalwart Shoaib Malik is in second spot with 125 games.

Most matches for Pakistan in T20Is

Babar Azam – 128 matches
Shoaib Malik – 125 matches
Mohammad Hafeez – 119 matches
Shadab Khan – 112 matches
Mohammad Rizwan – 106 matches
Fakhar Zaman – 100 matches

Before the start of the clash, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) released a video in which Zaman’s companions extended their wishes to him on this auspicious occasion.

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“Pakistan batter Fakhar Zaman was congratulated by his teammates ahead of the #PAKvAFG clash on reaching the milestone of 100 T20I appearances,” the PCB captioned the video.

So far, Fakhar Zaman has amassed 1975 runs at an average of 22.44 with the help of 11 half-centuries.

At the time of filing this story, Pakistan were 70-4 in nine overs. Mohammad Nawaz and Hasan Nawaz were on the crease in a bid to steady Pakistan’s innings in a 170-run chase.

READ: Faheem Ashraf’s four-fer keeps Afghanistan to 169

Former Pakistan captain and pace great Wasim Akram has offered words of encouragement for Babar Azam, who finds himself out of the national T20I setup following a dip in form.

Speaking on a local TV show, Akram reflected on the pressures that come with international cricket and urged the star batter to keep his focus intact despite the noise around him.

“Babar Azam is our superstar and among the top players in world cricket,” said Akram.

“My advice to him is simple: stay calm, don’t pay attention to unnecessary press conferences, and remember that form is temporary but class is forever. Keep working hard and you’ll return to the top of world cricket.”

The former left-arm pacer also weighed in on the ongoing debate of whether Babar Azam is merely a prolific run-getter or a true match-winner, suggesting that the best chapters of his career are still to come.

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“He is already a great batsman, but his best is yet to come. And he will also lead Pakistan to victory,” Akram remarked.

When asked whether Babar could reach the stature of Javed Miandad in terms of defining match-winning knocks, Wasim Akram said the right-hander has the ability but must convert that potential into game-changing performances.

“Babar has what it takes to be a match-winner; the talent and consistency are already there,” he added.

“But he needs to win two or three big matches single-handedly with his batting to cement his place among the greats. No doubt, he is a top-class player.”

Babar Azam, the second-highest run-scorer in T20I history, has not featured in the format since Pakistan’s three-match series against South Africa in December last year.

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Former Pakistan captain Wasim Akram has shared his thoughts on star batter Babar Azam’s poor form and match-winning ability, urging him to win key matches on his own.

Akram shared his thoughts regarding Babar Azam during an appearance on a TV show.

“Babar Azam is our superstar and a top player in world cricket. I would just advise him to stay calm, ignore unnecessary press conferences, and remember that ‘Form is temporary, class is forever.’ Keep going, and you will return to the top of world cricket again,” Akram said.

He emphasized the 30-year-old’s match-winning ability, lauding his stature as a great batter.

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“He is already a great batsman, but his best is yet to come—and he will also lead the team to victory,” he stated.

“Right now, Babar has what it takes to be a match-winner—the talent is definitely there, and consistency is there—but he needs to win 2–3 important matches on his own with his batting. No doubt, he is a top-class player,” he concluded.

For context, Babar Azam is going through a rough patch with his last international century coming in the 2023 Asia Cup against Nepal. Since then, he has struggled to reach the three-figure mark.

Moreover, he was also axed from the Pakistan T20I lineup amid concerns regarding his strike rate. Babar Azam’s last appearance in the format came in December 2024 against South Africa.

Currently, the Pakistan team is in the United Arab Emirates, playing against Afghanistan and the hosts, the UAE, in the T20I tri-series—a tournament serving as a rehearsal for the ACC Men’s Asia Cup 2025.

The Asia Cup 2025 is slated to commence on September 9 with a match between Hong Kong and Afghanistan.

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