Babar Azam to Bat at No.3 on T20I Return, confirms Coach
RAWALPINDI:(Sports Reporter) Pakistan’s white-ball head coach Mike Hesson has confirmed that star batter Babar Azam will make his comeback to T20 internationals batting at the No. 3 position in the upcoming series against South Africa, marking his return to the shortest format after nine months.
Babar last featured for Pakistan in T20Is against South Africa in Centurion in December 2024. While he has continued to play a key role in the ODI and Test squads, his absence from T20 cricket has been closely watched by fans and analysts alike.
Speaking to the media in Rawalpindi on Sunday, Hesson said he was confident that Babar would make a strong return following his inclusion in the squad.
“I certainly endorse his selection, with Fakhar Zaman sent to first-class cricket,” Hesson stated. “That created an opportunity for another top-order player, and it’s a great chance to get Babar back into the squad. He’s likely to bat at three — a role I’m very confident he’ll excel in.”
The coach also addressed the exclusion of wicketkeeper-batter Mohammad Haris, noting that the youngster had struggled to perform consistently despite multiple opportunities.
“Haris is young and still needs improvement,” he said, adding that Usman Khan was drafted into the side for his strength against spin bowling.
Pakistan have announced a 15-member squad for the T20I series against South Africa and the subsequent tri-nation event, along with a 16-member lineup for the ODIs against South Africa and Sri Lanka.
Hesson emphasized that the upcoming matches would serve as crucial preparation for the T20 World Cup, allowing team management to test various combinations.
Reflecting on Pakistan’s loss to India in the Asia Cup 2025 final, the coach described the result as “disappointing” but expressed optimism about the team’s progress. He also praised Usman Tariq as an emerging spin talent and confirmed that Sufiyan Moqim has been released to participate in domestic cricket.
