The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has begun considering former captain Babar Azam’s return to the T20 squad due to fitness issues faced by opener Fakhar Zaman.
According to sources, Babar Azam’s return is likely for the upcoming tri-nation series and Asia Cup 2025. Fakhar Zaman sustained an injury during the T20I series against West Indies, ruling him out of both the T20 and ODI series.
The PCB has directed Fakhar Zaman to report immediately to the National Cricket Academy in Lahore for rehabilitation. His availability for the Asia Cup remains uncertain, with the board closely monitoring his recovery while also preparing alternate plans.
Sources revealed that if Fakhar fails to regain full fitness, Babar Azam will be a strong candidate to rejoin the squad. However, his selection depends on his performance in the ODI series against the West Indies. A strong showing could significantly boost his chances of returning.
Recently, Babar Azam, alongside Mohammad Rizwan and Naseem Shah, met PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi during the second T20I against West Indies.
The final squad for the Asia Cup is expected to be announced in the second week of August. The tournament will kick off on September 9 with a Group B match between Afghanistan and Hong Kong.
Eight teams are participating, divided into two groups. Group A includes Pakistan, India, UAE, and Oman, while Group B features Bangladesh, Afghanistan, Sri Lanka, and Hong Kong.
Pakistan’s campaign will begin on September 12 against Oman, followed by a high-stakes match against India on September 14. Their final group match will be against the UAE on September 17.
