Pakistan’s Babar Azam walks again after being stumped throughout their first ODI match in opposition to West Indies on the Brian Lara Stadium, Tarouba, Trinidad, August 08, 2025. — AFP
Pakistan’s white-ball head coach, Mike Hesson, on Sunday revealed Babar Azam’s batting place for the upcoming T20I sequence in opposition to South Africa, marking his return to the shorter format after a nine-month absence.
The previous captain final performed for the nationwide facet in T20Is in opposition to South Africa in Centurion in December 2024. He, nonetheless, stays an integral a part of the ODI and Take a look at squads.
Talking at a media briefing in Rawalpindi, Hesson expressed hope that Azam would make a profitable return to the shorter format following his squad choice.
“I certainly endorse his selection, with Fakhar Zaman sent to first-class cricket,” he stated.
“And that created an opportunity for another top-order player, and it is a great opportunity to get Babar back into the squad. He’s likely to bat at three, so it’s a role that I’m very confident he’ll be able to do well in,” he added.
The Pakistan coach stated that wicketkeeper batter Mohammad Haris was excluded from the squad as a consequence of his constant failures regardless of being given repeated alternatives.
“Haris is young, he needs improvement,” he stated, including that Usman Khan was included within the T20I squad as a consequence of his batting prowess in opposition to spin.
Pakistan have named a 15-member squad for the T20I sequence in opposition to South Africa and the next tri-nation occasion, and a 16-member lineup for the ODIs in opposition to South Africa and Sri Lanka.
Hesson stated that the South Africa T20I sequence and tri-nation sequence would assist staff administration discover choices for the T20 World Cup.
Sharing his views on the Inexperienced Shirts’ loss to India within the ultimate of the Asia Cup 2025, the Pakistan coach described the defeat as “disappointing”.
He additionally hailed Usman Tariq as a “spin talent” whereas confirming that Sufiyan Moqim has been launched to play home cricket.
