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Babar Azam And...? 3 Star Players Who Could Never Return To Pakistan's T20I Squad Again

Debashis Sarangi

Babar Azam with Fakhar Zaman [Source: @BasitSubhani/X]Babar Azam with Fakhar Zaman [Source: @BasitSubhani/X]

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Recently, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) announced a 15-member men's squad for the upcoming tour of New Zealand. After a humiliating group-stage exit from the Champions Trophy, Pakistan are gearing up to face the BlackCaps in five T20Is and three ODIs. 

Meanwhile, there are several renowned Pakistani players who might not play a T20 International match again, as mentioned below. 

1. Babar Azam

Criterion
Runs
Average/SR
In T20Is since 2022160333.40/129.38
Across formats since 2024150131.93/82.51

(Babar's recent stats)

  • Pakistan's legendary batter Babar Azam hasn't lived up to the expectations in T20Is of late. Since 2022, Babar has managed 1603 runs in 53 T20I innings while averaging just 33.40 and striking at an abysmal rate of 129.38. 
  • More importantly, his numbers across formats have dipped as well, with his modest returns letting Pakistan down in the Champions Trophy. 
  • He was dropped from Pakistan's T20I team following his poor returns as a top-order batter. If the likes of Usman Khan and Mohammad Haris perform in the upcoming New Zealand series, Babar might never make a comeback to Pakistan's T20I setup. 

2. Fakhar Zaman

Innings
Runs
Average/SR
84184822.81/132.95

(Fakhar Zaman's T20I stats)

  • Swashbuckling Pakistan batter Fakhar Zaman has been an outstanding cricketer for Pakistan in ODIs. However, he hasn't been able to replicate a similar success in T20I cricket, as evidenced by the above stats. 
  • Although Fakhar made a comeback to the ODI team for the Champions Trophy, an unfortunate injury led to his exclusion from Pakistan's squad after the first game. He last played a T20I way back in June 2024. 
  • With Saim Ayub steadily recovering and Usman Khan and Mohammad Haris getting the first priority, Fakhar's comeback chances seem bleak at the moment. 

3. Naseem Shah

Wickets
Average/SR
Economy
1140.27/26.739.04

(Naseem Shah in T20Is since 2023)

  • Pakistan's ace speedster Naseem Shah hasn't been at his best in T20Is of late. In 13 matches, Naseem has managed only eleven wickets at a horrendous average, strike rate and economy. 
  • Naseem was dropped from Pakistan's white-ball setup midway during the South Africa series. He has also been sidelined from the T20I team for the New Zealand tour following his abysmal returns in the Champions Trophy 2025. 
  • While Shaheen Afridi and Haris Rauf have retained their places, Pakistan have recalled Mohammad Ali and Abbas Afridi for the New Zealand series. So, if these bowlers perform in the New Zealand series, Naseem might not be recalled to the T20I side anytime soon.