Sat. Jun 14th, 2025

Is Pakistan Phasing Out Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan & Shaheen Afridi from T20s?

The cricketing world is reeling from news out of Pakistan. In a top-brass report, the trio of Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan, and Shaheen Shah Afridi will be absent from Pakistan’s immediate T20 plans going forward. The report identifies that the selection committee has advised these players they will not be featured in the forthcoming T20 series against the West Indies and Bangladesh in July and August.

This change would seem to signal a large-scale change in Pakistan’s cricketing direction, most specifically T20 cricket where this senior trio has been key for a number of years. The news asks many questions on the roadmap for Pakistan cricket looks like as they prepare for the Asia Cup 2025 and ICC T20 World Cup 2026.

Selectors Turn Towards Youth

A recent report suggested that the selectors – Aaqib Javed, Aleem Dar, Azhar Ali and Asad Shafiq – and the new head coach Mike Hesson, are likely to take a young squad into this year’s T20 World Cup. According to a source close to the selectors, they are interested in giving longer runs to fresh players ahead of the big global tournaments.

“The selectors can always go back to Babar, Rizwan and Shaheen if things go wrong,” the source said.

They want to take a longer-term approach in building the younger players to form a good solid unit in time for the next ICC T20 World Cup.

Key Series On The Horizon

Pakistan’s forthcoming international schedule emphasizes the necessity of squad rotation, with the team playing in:

3 T20Is and 3 ODIs at West Indies in Late July.
A 3-match T20 series at Bangladesh in August (could also be extended to 5 matches).
A home T20 series against Afghanistan in late August.

All these series form the base for preparation towards the Asia Cup and the T20 World Cup next year. If Babar, Rizwan, and Shaheen are not included it gives new players important international experience.

Is It The End of T20 Road for Babar, Rizwan, and Shaheen?

The exclusion of these stalwarts may not mean a total cut-off from their T20 careers, but it does call into question their short-term viability.

Babar Azam, former captain and first-choice anchor of the batting, has been a permanent fixture in Pakistan’s T20 strategy for nearly a decade already. While a technically sound batsman, he has been battered by multiple criticisms in the T20 landscape, namely his strike rate and inability to finish games.
Mohammad Rizwan, the other half of Pakistan’s famous opening combination, has provided the national side with solidity but has also come under scrutiny, primarily for playing it too safe for the current landscape of T20.
Shaheen Afridi remains Pakistan’s number one fast bowler, and while he has leadership experience, just led Lahore Qalandars their third title in five years at the Pakistan Super League (PSL).

The recent omission of these players from the T20 series against New Zealand, Bangladesh, Australia, Zimbabwe, and South Africa suggests a trend, rather than just a pause.

Focus Shift: Test and ODI Formats

The board’s decision is not a sanction, but a readjustment of duties. The players have been requested to concentrate on the ICC World Test Championship and 50-over ODI format, which require both experience and temperament, things all three have plenty of.

This highlights a multi-format management strategy, whereby veterans are not overloaded and a specialist squad is developed for different format teams.

Global Leagues Over National Duty?

It appears Babar Azam, while not playing any T20 internationals, will debut in the Big Bash League (BBL) playing for the Sydney Sixers. The PCB has issued NOCs (No Objection Certificates) to Babar and a few others to play in the BBL from December 28 to late January.

This raises conversations around player workload and calendar management, and perhaps even player and board priorities.

Selector's Strategy: Risk or Reward?

Replacing established players like Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan, and Shaheen Afridi is no small risk. But the selectors feel that:

Fresh legs bring fresh energy to the squad.
Younger players adapt faster to the ever-evolving landscape of T20.
If Pakistan is to become ICC champions in T20 again, they need to start the long-term plan now.

It’s a risk, and it may pay off-or it may not. But if the new players perform, the torch may be handed with a final city.

Who Might Fill Their Shoes?

With the senior trio absent, there are many candidates who are emerging as the new front face for Pakistan T20:

Saim Ayub: Explosive batter at the top of the order.
Irfan Khan Niazi: Emerging player with potential as an all-rounder.
Abrar Ahmed: A mystery spinner.
Zaman Khan: Raw pace and aggression

These young cricketers now have the hopes of cricketers in a billion strong nation on their shoulders.

Fan Reaction: Mixed Emotions

The announcement has elicited a range of reactions across the cricketing landscape, from excitement around the selectors’ vision to anger about potential disrespect for the players’ history. Social media has been full of hashtags like #BringBackBabar and #RizwanDeservesBetter, showing the emotional connection fans have with these two icons.

Yet there are also fans who see this as an opportunity to reset and refresh Pakistan’s T20 cricket reputation.

Conclusion

While it would be premature to assume the T20 futures of Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan, and Shaheen Afridi are officially over, it does seem like the end is on the horizon. Pakistan’s cricket board seems to be putting its eggs in the basket of the longer game– developing new talent, inventing new approaches, and planning load management of players better.

Change is the only constant in elite sport. And while this change might be painful for some fans, it may well be the bold change Pakistan cricket needs.

Regardless of whether it works out or not, the key thing we know for certain is Pakistan’s cricketing future is about to be re-scripted– and this next chapter will begin without its three most famous players on the T20 page.