Up to date on: Aug 17, 2025 02:36 pm IST
Babar Azam was not noted of Pakistan’s Asia Cup squad as coach Mike Hesson stated he should enhance his strike fee, hinting at a BBL route for comeback.
In simply 15 months, Babar Azam has gone from being reinstated as Pakistan’s T20I captain for the World Cup within the West Indies to being fully missed within the format. After being not noted of the sequence towards Bangladesh and the West Indies, Babar—who not way back was ranked No. 1 in T20Is by the ICC—confronted an identical destiny on Sunday when he was omitted from the 17-man squad for the upcoming Asia Cup.
Pakistan’s white-ball head coach Mike Hesson broke his silence on the choice, revealing that the star batter has been requested to enhance his strike fee, significantly towards spinners. He additional urged that Babar might use the Massive Bash League (BBL) as a pathway for his T20I comeback.
“There’s little question Babar has been requested to enhance in some areas, significantly towards spin and by way of his strike-rate. These are facets I do know he’s working very laborious on for the time being,” he stated within the press convention after the announcement of the Asia Cup squad.
“A participant like Babar additionally has the chance to play within the BBL and showcase enhancements in these areas of T20 cricket. He’s just too good a participant for us to not take into account.”
Since January 2022, Babar has had a strike fee of 122.91 towards spinners throughout all T20s. Among the many 20 batters who’ve confronted a minimum of 1000 deliveries towards the range, it’s the worst. Mohammad Rizwan, who was additionally missed for the Asia Cup, stands second on the record with a strike fee of 123.35.
Babar final performed a T20I in December 2024. He later participated within the 2025 PSL season, scoring 56*, 53*, and 94 in his final seven appearances for Peshawar Zalmi. The previous captain was extra just lately a part of the ODI sequence within the West Indies, the place he scored 47, 0, and 9 throughout three matches.
The Asia Cup will likely be performed within the UAE, from 9 to twenty-eight September. Forward of the match, the Salman Ali Agha-led facet will take part in a T20I tri-series towards Afghanistan and the UAE on the Sharjah Cricket Stadium from 29 August to 7 September.
