Babar Azam is back in Pakistan’s T20 team. The star batter will play in the three-match series against South Africa starting Tuesday.
This is his first T20 selection since December. His return gives him a chance to answer questions from white-ball coach Mike Hesson about his technique and strike rate.
Coach Mike Hesson has previously expressed concerns about Babar’s game. He wanted to see improvement in the batter’s technique and a higher strike rate. Babar’s return was prompted by an opening in the squad. Fakhar Zaman is taking a break from T20 cricket to prepare for the upcoming ODI series.
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Hesson confirmed Babar is likely to bat at number three. “It’s a role that I’m very confident that he’ll be able to do well,” the coach said. The series also offers Babar a shot at a world record. He needs only nine more runs to break Rohit Sharma’s all-time record of 4,231 runs in T20 internationals.
In Babar’s absence, Pakistan played 26 T20s with mixed results. The team management had been favoring other openers. South Africa arrives with its own challenges. Captain David Miller is out with an injury, handing the leadership to Donovan Ferreira.
Key fast bowlers Gerald Coetzee and Kwena Maphaka are also missing due to injury. The series will also mark the white-ball return of experienced batsman Quinton de Kock.
