Cricket fans are buzzing with excitement as Pakistan’s star batter Babar Azam gears up for his much-awaited return to T20 Internationals. The stylish right-hander will make his comeback when Pakistan takes on South Africa in the first of the three-match T20I series, beginning September 28 in Rawalpindi.
Babar Azam’s Comeback After 9 Months
Babar Azam’s last appearance in a T20 International came exactly nine months ago, against the same opponent — South Africa at The Wanderers Stadium on December 14, 2024. Since then, Pakistan’s former captain has been away from the T20 format, focusing on other formats.
Now, as he returns to the shortest format, Babar carries the hopes of millions of fans who see him as Pakistan’s most consistent and elegant performer.
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On the Verge of a Historic Milestone
Babar Azam is on the cusp of creating history. He currently has 4,223 runs in 128 T20I matches, just 9 runs short of overtaking India’s Rohit Sharma, who leads the charts with 4,231 runs in 159 matches.
If Babar scores in double digits during the first T20, he will become the highest run-scorer in T20 International cricket history a monumental achievement that highlights his consistency, timing, and class.
Babar’s T20I career average of over 39.83, coupled with his strike rate above 129, places him among the world’s elite batters. His ability to anchor innings while accelerating when needed makes him one of the most reliable players in modern cricket.
Pakistan vs South Africa: Series Schedule
The three-match T20I series will serve as an important preparation phase for both sides ahead of next year’s T20 World Cup. Pakistan will be eager to test combinations, while South Africa aims to continue their strong T20 record against Pakistan.
Here’s the full schedule:
- 1st T20: September 28, Rawalpindi – 8:00 PM PST
- 2nd T20: September 31, Lahore – 8:00 PM PST
- 3rd T20: October 1, Lahore – 8:00 PM PST
Pakistan Squad
Salman Agha (c), Abdul Samad, Abrar Ahmed, Babar Azam, Faheem Ashraf, Hasan Nawaz, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Wasim, Naseem Shah, Sahibzada Farhan (wk), Saim Ayub, Salman Mirza, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Usman Khan (wk), Usman Tariq
South Africa Squad
Donovan Ferreira (c), Ottneil Baartman, Corbin Bosch, Matthew Breetzke, Dewald Brevis, Nandre Burger, Quinton de Kock (wk), Tony de Zorzi, Reeza Hendricks, George Linde, Lungi Ngidi, Nqabayomzi Peter, Lhuan-dre Pretorius (wk), Andile Simelane, Lizaad Williams
Both teams feature an exciting mix of experienced internationals and rising stars. South Africa, led by Donovan Ferreira, will look to counter Pakistan’s home advantage, while Pakistan’s focus will be on building a strong start to their T20 calendar with Babar’s leadership and batting form at the forefront.
