Wasim Akram: “The coach can play Babar at any position he wants. In my opinion, number three is ideal for him, but it will depend on the situation. If there are more overs left, someone else could also go in to bat first”
Image taken by: Bimal Mirwani
Pakistan fast bowling great Wasim Akram feels that Babar Azam should be batting at the number three spot in T20Is as it is the ideal position for him.
Azam has batted at different positions throughout his T20I career, including as an opener, where he enjoyed a lot of success.
Nonetheless, Wasim would want the 31-year-old coming in at one down if he returned to the team, but thinks there is room for flexibility depending on the situation Pakistan find themselves in.
“The coach can play Babar at any position he wants. In my opinion, number three is ideal for him, but it will depend on the situation. If there are more overs left, someone else could also go in to bat first,” he told Cricket Pakistan.
Azam has not been part of Pakistan’s T20I squad as of late and even missed the 2025 Asia Cup.
He is now in action in Pakistan’s home series against South Africa and began by amassing 131 runs in two Tests, which included a top score of 50, at an average of 32.75.
As for the T20I series, he accumulated 79 runs, which included a top score of 68, at an average of 39.50 and a strike-rate of 117.91.
Pakistan and South Africa are now playing three ODIs, where the men in green find themselves 1-0 up.
In the 1st ODI, Azam made seven runs.
Following the South Africa series, Pakistan will play a three-match ODI series against Sri Lanka from November 11 to 15, before participating in a T20I tri-series with Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe from November 17 to 29.
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