Babar Azam’s Return Plans T20i fled; Salman Agha glorified in Pakistan despite the humiliation against India
The Pakistan cricket faces a debate with a stormy selection while they are preparing for the next ICC T20 2026 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka next year. Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) plans to recall Babar Azam to strengthen the T20i team for the centerpiece event.
Currently, the position of Salman Ali Agha as a captain and striker of the T20I of Pakistan is not safe after his poor performance in the recent Asian Cup 2025. Salman only managed 72 points in seven matches on average of 12 and a striking rate of 80.89 in the subcontinental tournament.
Pakistan in the selection drama as they prepare for the ICC T20 2026 World Cup
Despite his baton difficulties, Salman Ali Agha received continuous support from Pakistani selectors and head coach Mike Hesson, but concerns are developing on his incoherent performances among members of Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB).
Your daily cricket dose!
Read also: MCC slaps Pakistan on the controversy of the Muneeba Ali racing race against India at the Women’s World Cup ICC 2025
As reported by the Pakistani journalist Saleem Khaliq, Mike Hesson and the selectors are determined to continue with Salman as Captain of the T20I, but some PCB officials have raised questions about his ability to direct the team’s programming because they develop plans for the T20 ICC 2026 World Cup.
PCB considers Babar Azam’s recall for T20is in the middle of the bad form of Salman Ali Agha
The journalist also revealed that the PCB plans to recall Babar Azam next to the next T20I series of three games against South Africa at home. However, the management of the team has raised strong objections to the return of Babar to the T20is, citing the balance of the team and the problems of strategy.
Hesson had already clearly indicated that the former Pakistani captain had to improve his typing rate and his performances against spin bowling if he wanted to make a T20i return, and that was also the reason for his Asia Cup 2025 omission.
Read also: Dilip Vengsarkar indirectly orders on Ajit Agarkar to deposit Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma d’Odi
Babar Azam has been out of the T20is since the end of 2024, after incoherent performance and low strike rates, but the PCB still considers that the right -handed striker could ensure stability and experience in the T20i team while they are preparing for the next T20 ICC 2026 World Cup.
While PCB wants the return of Babar Azam, the management of the Pakistan team considers that the current configuration with Salman leading the team should continue, which caused a split within the board of directors. Now it remains to be seen if Babar Azam returns to the side for the next series against South Africa.
Pakistan Trims Squad before the test series in South Africa
Earlier, Pakistan has made surprise changes to its team for the next two -game test series against South Africa. They dropped the quick launcher Aamir Jamal and Spinner Faisal Akram. With these movements, the team is cut from 18 to 16 members of origin.
The long -awaited test series starts with the first test at the Gaddafi stadium in Lahore from October 12 to 16, followed by the second test at the Rawalpindi cricket stadium from October 20 to 24. South Africa, freshly offended the World CPI 2023-25 championship, will be eager to continue their domination.
After the test series, the two teams will play three T20is and three ODIs between October 28 and November 8.
