Shahid Afridi Discusses Babar Azam’s T20I Exclusion

Former Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi has weighed in on Babar Azam’s absence from the national T20I team, particularly with important competitions like the Asia Cup and ICC T20 World Cup on the horizon.

In a recent interview, Afridi addressed the question of whether Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan still merit a spot in the T20I squad.

Afridi emphasized the significance of both consistency and a strong strike rate in the T20 format.

“Considering the current scenario, I think players should aim for an even higher strike rate,” Afridi stated, referring to the team’s current strategy.

The former all-rounder voiced his concern over the exclusion of Babar Azam, stressing the importance of his consistency and ability to perform under pressure.

He noted that Babar’s strike rate was on par with some of the newer players being evaluated and questioned the rationale behind his exclusion.

“Babar is a reliable performer; you anticipate runs whenever he’s on the field. His strike rate was comparable, so sidelining him might not have been the best choice,” Afridi commented.

Afridi further elaborated, “The players getting opportunities now need to demonstrate consistency and maintain a high strike rate.”

Despite being Pakistan’s top run-scorers in T20I history, Babar and Rizwan haven’t participated in a T20I match since December 13, 2024.

Previously, T20I captain Salman Ali Agha reaffirmed the senior trio’s continued significance to the team’s plans.

Speaking to the media on July 14, during a training camp preceding the Bangladesh series, Agha emphasized that Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan, and Shaheen Shah Afridi remain vital to Pakistan’s T20 World Cup aspirations.

He recognized their vast experience and match-winning capabilities, stating their presence provides balance and strengthens the squad as they prepare for the global tournament.

“Shaheen Shah Afridi, Babar Azam, and Mohammad Rizwan are experienced players and key members of our 25-player pool,” Agha stated.

“We aim to develop players who can step in at any moment; hence, we are focused on building a strong bench. We’ve shortlisted 25 players who will be given opportunities leading up to the T20 World Cup,” Agha concluded.

The ICC Men’s T20 World Cup is scheduled to take place in India and Sri Lanka next year.