Pakistan likely to move forward without Babar, Rizwan in T20Is

The future of Pakistan's T20I team is heading in a new direction without the experienced duo of Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan.

According to media reports, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is planning not to recall the two senior players for the upcoming home series against Bangladesh.

The five-match T20I series, scheduled after the PSL 2025 tournament, is expected to feature several new faces. However, reports suggest that neither Babar nor Rizwan will be considered for selection.

The duo have not played a T20I for Pakistan since 13 December 2024, as the team has been experimenting with a younger and more aggressive batting line-up. Despite being Pakistan's top two run-scorers in T20 internationals, Babar at No. 1 and Rizwan at No. 2, the PCB is moving towards a playing style that aligns with the demands of modern-day T20 cricket.

While the results have not been ideal, with Pakistan recently losing 4-1 to New Zealand, the team management appears committed to continuing this transition. The return of players like Saim Ayub, Fakhar Zaman, and Sahibzada Farhan indicates that, for now, there is no room for the older guard.

The absence of Babar and Rizwan may signal a major shift in Pakistan's T20 plans. With the Asia Cup later this year and the T20 World Cup next year, Pakistan seems ready to enter a new era of T20 cricket without its two most seasoned batters.

The upcoming series against Bangladesh will offer a closer look at what the future of Pakistan cricket in the shortest format could look like. A series of defeats at home, however, could raise serious questions. Still, the PCB appears firm in its stance for now.