Pakistan’s star batsmen Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan are expected to be dropped once again for the upcoming three-match T20 series against South Africa at home. Left-arm fast bowler Shaheen Afridi, who was appointed ODI captain, is also likely to be rested from the T20Is to manage his workload.
Pakistan’s batting was poor in Asia Cup 2025, where it had to face defeat in the final. There was speculation about a possible T20I return of Babar and Rizwan. However, with Babar struggling for form in the Test series against South Africa, the selectors would like to stick with the young team led by Salman Ali Aga.
Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan will not play in the T20 series against South Africa
Geo News journalists Sohail Imran and Qadir Khawaja have confirmed on social media that Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan will not be able to play in Pakistan’s upcoming T20 series against South Africa.
It is expected that the selectors will make two or three changes in the team playing in the Asia Cup, but there is no possibility of return of any senior batsman.
Babar and Rizwan have been absent from Pakistan’s T20I setup throughout 2025, which includes home and away series against Bangladesh and West Indies and the Asia Cup 2025.
It appears that the team management and selectors are focusing on young talent ahead of the 2026 T20 World Cup. Babar scored 288 runs at a strike rate of 128.57, while Rizwan scored 367 runs at a strike rate of 139.54 during PSL 2025. He last played a T20I match in December 2024.
Shaheen Afridi may be rested from the T20 series against South Africa
Shaheen Afridi is expected to be rested from the upcoming T20I series against South Africa to manage his workload. Shaheen Afridi took part in both the Test matches against the Proteas and has been made the new ODI captain of Pakistan.
Khushdil Shah and Hussain Talat, who were part of the Asia Cup squad, are likely to be left out, the report said. Meanwhile, Irfan Khan Niazi and Naseem Shah may be recalled to the squad, while Haris Rauf’s participation remains uncertain.
With Mohammad Rizwan not included, Mohammad Haris is expected to retain the wicketkeeping role. The selectors may also favor Sam Ayub despite his poor form in the Asia Cup, allowing Pakistan to retain most of its Asia Cup core for the series.
Shaheen Afridi to lead Pakistan in T20I against New Zealand in early 2024
Shaheen Afridi led Pakistan in T20Is during the five-match series against New Zealand in early 2024, where they lost 1–4. PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi re-appointed Babar Azam as captain ahead of the T20 World Cup 2024, where they suffered a group-stage exit.
The T20 series between Pakistan and South Africa will start from October 28 at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium. The second and third matches will be held at Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore on 31 October and 1 November respectively.
According to reports, Pakistan’s T20 team is scheduled to assemble in Islamabad on October 25, with a joint training session with the South African team scheduled for October 26.
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