Bilal Asif: “Babar Azam is the star of our country”
Image taken by: Bimal Mirwani
Former Pakistan spinner Bilal Asif has branded batsman Babar Azam as “the star of our country.”
Azam missed many of Pakistan’s previous T20I assignments, including the 2025 Asia Cup.
Many believed his absence was felt as the men in green struggled with the bat on a few occasions during the tournament.
Considering Azam’s proven prowess as an elite batsman, Asif feels he should consistently remain in the team.
“Babar Azam is the star of our country,” the 40-year-old told PakPassion.
Azam recently took part in Pakistan’s two-Test series against South Africa and scored 131 runs, which included a top score of 50, at an average of 32.75.
He was recalled for the three-match T20I series, where the men in green trail 1-0.
In the 1st T20I, the Lahore native was unable to have an impact with the bat as he was dismissed for a duck.
Following the T20Is, Pakistan and South Africa will face each other in a three-match ODI series from November 4 to 8.
Next up for Pakistan will be a three-match ODI series against Sri Lanka from November 11 to 15.
After that, they will participate in a T20I tri-series alongside Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe between November 17 and 29.
Pakistan squad for South Africa T20I Series: Salman Ali Agha (captain), Abdul Samad, Abrar Ahmed, Babar Azam, Faheem Ashraf, Hasan Nawaz, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Wasim Jnr, Salman Mirza, Naseem Shah, Sahibzada Farhan, Saim Ayub, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Usman Khan (wicketkeeper), Usman Tariq
Reserves: Fakhar Zaman, Haris Rauf, Sufiyan Muqeem
Pakistan squad for South Africa ODI Series: Shaheen Shah Afridi (captain), Abrar Ahmed, Babar Azam, Faheem Ashraf, Faisal Akram, Fakhar Zaman, Haris Rauf, Haseebullah Khan, Hasan Nawaz, Hussain Talat, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Rizwan (wicketkeeper), Mohammad Wasim Jnr, Naseem Shah, Saim Ayub, Salman Ali Agha
Pakistan squad for Sri Lanka ODI Series: Shaheen Shah Afridi (captain), Abrar Ahmed, Babar Azam, Faheem Ashraf, Faisal Akram, Fakhar Zaman, Haris Rauf, Haseebullah Khan, Hasan Nawaz, Hussain Talat, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Rizwan (wicketkeeper), Mohammad Wasim Jnr, Naseem Shah, Saim Ayub, Salman Ali Agha
Pakistan squad for Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe T20I Tri-Series: Salman Ali Agha (captain), Abdul Samad, Abrar Ahmed, Babar Azam, Faheem Ashraf, Hasan Nawaz, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Wasim Jnr, Salman Mirza, Naseem Shah, Sahibzada Farhan, Saim Ayub, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Usman Khan (wicketkeeper), Usman Tariq
Reserves: Fakhar Zaman, Haris Rauf, Sufiyan Muqeem