In a bold move, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has left out Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan from the squad for the upcoming three-match T20I series against Bangladesh, raising concerns about their future in Pakistan’s T20 setup. The exclusion of these two stalwarts, along with Shaheen Afridi, suggests a major shift in team strategy ahead of the T20 World Cup 2026, scheduled to be held in India and Sri Lanka.
PCB’s Selection Strategy: A New Era Begins
The PCB’s decision to omit Babar and Rizwan for the second consecutive T20 series indicates a clear move towards a younger squad. The board has emphasized that selections were based on Pakistan Super League (PSL) performances, signaling a merit-based approach.
Salman Ali Agha to Lead Pakistan
With Babar Azam’s captaincy paused, the PCB has retained Salman Ali Agha as the captain, while Shadab Khan continues as vice-captain. The squad also sees the return of Saim Ayub, Fakhar Zaman, and Hasan Ali, who missed the New Zealand tour due to injuries.
What’s Next for Babar and Rizwan?
While Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan remain key figures in Pakistan’s cricketing landscape, their absence from the T20 squad raises questions about their future in the format. With the T20 World Cup 2026 approaching, their chances of making a comeback depend on consistent performances in domestic and franchise cricket.
Pakistan’s Squad for Bangladesh T20Is:
- Salman Ali Agha (Captain)
- Shadab Khan (Vice-Captain)
- Abrar Ahmed
- Faheem Ashraf
- Fakhar Zaman
- Haris Rauf
- Hasan Ali
- Hassan Nawaz
- Hussain Talat
- Khushdil Shah
- Mohammad Haris (WK)
- Mohammad Wasim Jr.
- Muhammad Irfan Khan
- Naseem Shah
- Sahibzada Farhan (WK)
- Saim Ayub
With Pakistan’s T20 squad undergoing a transformation, fans eagerly await the team’s performance against Bangladesh and the future of Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan in international T20 cricket.
Stay tuned for more updates on Pakistan cricket and the latest T20 World Cup developments!
