Pakistan’s head coach, Mike Hesson, has expressed his backing for Babar Azam’s inclusion in the T20 squad, ahead of the upcoming three-match series against South Africa commencing in Rawalpindi on Tuesday.
Azam, aged 31, has earned a recall after being sidelined since December last year due to concerns regarding his strike rate in the T20 format. Hesson believes that the timing is opportune for Azam’s return and is confident in the batsman’s capabilities.
“We have opted to rest Fakhar Zaman for this series, providing a favorable opening to reintroduce Azam, and I am optimistic about his performance,” stated Hesson on Sunday.
Azam, who previously led Pakistan across all formats before relinquishing the captaincy in October 2024, is on the cusp of a significant milestone. He is just nine runs away from surpassing India’s Rohit Sharma as the top run-scorer in T20 internationals. Presently, Sharma holds the record with 4,231 runs from 159 matches, while Azam follows closely with 4,223 runs from 128 games.
Hesson, who assumed leadership of the team in May, views Azam’s comeback as a strategic move in preparation for the upcoming T20 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka next year.
“Azam is expected to fulfill the number three batting position, a role in which I am confident he will excel and provide us with valuable options heading into the World Cup,” Hesson elaborated.
Despite South Africa grappling with the absence of several key players, including David Miller and Gerald Coetzee due to injuries, alongside rested players Aiden Markram and Kagiso Rabada, Hesson remains cautious of the formidable threat the South African squad, led by Donovan Ferreira, poses.
“The South African team assembled is formidable, and we are mindful of their capabilities,” Hesson acknowledged.
The final two matches of the series are scheduled to be held in Lahore on Friday and Saturday.