Wasim Akram: “I want Babar to be [there] in T20Is. Just think about it, against stronger sides, if you’re chasing 150 or 160 on a slightly dodgy wicket, it’ll be difficult without a batter like him”
Image taken by: Bimal Mirwani
Legendary Pakistan left-arm seamer Wasim Akram said he wants batsman Babar Azam in the T20I team as he can save Pakistan in precarious situations.
He noted that if the men in green are batting “on a slightly dodgy wicket”, they will need a reliable batsman like Azam who can score runs.
Azam has missed all of Pakistan’s recent T20I assignments, which included a three-match series against Bangladesh in Lahore, a tour of Bangladesh, a three-match series against the West Indies, and a T20I tri-series against the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Afghanistan.
The only series the 30-year-old has been involved in lately has been the three ODIs Pakistan played against the West Indies, where he scored 56 runs at an average of 18.66.
“I want Babar to be [there] in T20Is. Just think about it, against stronger sides, if you’re chasing 150 or 160 on a slightly dodgy wicket, it’ll be difficult without a batter like him,” Wasim was quoted as saying by A Sports.
Pakistan are now involved in the 2025 Asia Cup, which Azam wasn’t picked for as well.
They beat Oman and the UAE in the group stage, but lost to India as well.
Another defeat against India came in the Super Four, but the men in green still made it to the final after taking down Sri Lanka and Bangladesh.
The Asia Cup final between India and Pakistan will be played on September 28 in Dubai.
Pakistan squad for UAE T20I tri-series and 2025 Asia Cup: Salman Ali Agha (captain), Abrar Ahmed, Faheem Ashraf, Fakhar Zaman, Haris Rauf, Hasan Ali, Hasan Nawaz, Hussain Talat, Khushdil Shah, Mohammad Haris (wicketkeeper), Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Wasim Jnr, Sahibzada Farhan, Saim Ayub, Salman Mirza, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Sufiyan Muqeem