Wasim Akram Wants Babar Azam Back for Asia Cup and World Cup

As the Asia Cup approaches, Pakistan is facing a tough situation regarding its top-order batting options. With injuries and inconsistent performances from newer players, cricket legend Wasim Akram has spoken out in strong support of Babar Azam, calling for his return to the national T20 squad.

Babar Azam, one of Pakistan’s most successful batters in recent years, last played a T20 international in December 2024 against South Africa. Since then, he has been left out of the T20 side, largely due to ongoing criticism over his strike rate and role in the shortest format of the game. Under the leadership of Mike Hesson and previous coaches, Pakistan shifted focus toward more aggressive, younger players like Saim Ayub, Sahibzada Farhan, and Fakhar Zaman. However, with Fakhar currently sidelined due to injury and no set date for his return, the need for a senior and steady presence at the top of the order has become more urgent.

In an exclusive interview with Cricket Pakistan, Wasim Akram stressed that Babar’s experience and talent are vital for Pakistan in the upcoming major tournaments. “If it were up to me, I would bring Babar back without any hesitation,” he said. “We are heading into two big events — the Asia Cup and the T20 World Cup. We need a reliable and experienced batter who can guide the team in high-pressure games.”

Critics have pointed to Babar’s relatively low strike rate as the reason behind his exclusion. But Wasim Akram dismissed this as an unfair judgment. He reminded fans and selectors of Babar’s performance in the 2019 Vitality Blast in England, where he played for Somerset and scored consistently at a strike rate close to 150. “He’s shown before that he can change gears when the team needs it. Babar knows how to adapt. Not every player has that ability,” Akram said.

Babar’s recent numbers in T20Is haven’t been impressive. He has gone 10 matches without scoring a fifty, averaging just 26. In three of his last five innings, he failed to reach double digits. Still, Akram believes form is temporary and shouldn’t overshadow a player’s overall value to the team. “All great players go through lean patches. That doesn’t mean you throw away their experience. Babar brings calmness, confidence, and leadership — these are qualities we need in high-stakes matches,” he added.

Pakistan’s T20 strategy has clearly shifted toward youth, but selectors have kept the door open for senior players depending on team needs. Babar is expected to return to international action in the upcoming ODI series against the West Indies. A strong performance there could strengthen his case for a T20 comeback.

Whether or not the selectors act on Akram’s advice remains to be seen. But with tough competition ahead in the Asia Cup and the World Cup, Pakistan may benefit from bringing back a seasoned batter like Babar Azam. At just 30 years old, he still has time on his side and could play a key role in stabilizing Pakistan’s top order when it matters most.

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