Babar Azam Likely to Return for Asia Cup 2025

Former Pakistan captain Babar Azam might be making a comeback to the national T20I squad for the upcoming Asia Cup, according to a new report published by local media outlets. This development comes as the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) reconsiders its options after Fakhar Zaman suffered an injury that has left his participation in doubt.

As reported by Geo Super and Cricket Pakistan, the PCB is closely monitoring the situation after Fakhar Zaman sustained a hamstring injury during the recent T20I series against the West Indies. Due to the injury, Fakhar has already been ruled out of the ODI matches in the Caribbean. He is now set to begin rehabilitation at the National Cricket Academy in Lahore.

Since it is still unclear whether Fakhar will recover in time for the Asia Cup, the selectors are now looking at backup options. Babar Azam, who is currently playing in the ODI series against the West Indies, is reportedly being considered as a top contender to fill the gap.

The PCB’s selection committee is not making any quick decisions yet. Instead, they are watching closely to see how Babar performs in the current ODI series. If he performs well, his chances of being included in the T20I squad for the Asia Cup will increase significantly.

The upcoming tournaments, including a tri-nation series and the Asia Cup, are crucial for Pakistan’s preparation ahead of the T20 World Cup. The selectors want to ensure the best possible combination, especially at the top of the batting order.

If Babar Azam returns to the T20I squad, it could lead to tough competition among the top-order batters. Pakistan’s white-ball head coach, Mike Hesson, recently mentioned that Babar is currently competing for a place alongside Fakhar Zaman and Saim Ayub. However, nothing is certain yet, and the final decision will depend on form and team strategy.

Meanwhile, Sahibzada Farhan has impressed the selectors by performing well in Fakhar’s absence. This makes the decision even more difficult, as the team management will have to choose from several talented players for limited spots in the playing XI.

Babar Azam last played a T20 International in December 2024. His performance in the Asia Cup T20I format has been modest so far—he has featured in six matches, scoring only 68 runs with a low average of 11.33. These numbers may be a concern, but his overall experience and leadership skills still make him a valuable player.

The final squad for both the tri-nation series and the Asia Cup is expected to be announced in the second week of August. Until then, all eyes will be on Babar Azam’s current performances and whether the selectors believe he can make a strong return to the T20I team.

READ MORE: PCB to Announce Squad for Asia Cup and Tri-Series in August