Babar Azam will make his much-awaited return to T20I cricket when Pakistan host South Africa in the first T20I of the three-match series in Rawalpindi on Tuesday (October 28).
The former Pakistan captain was dropped from the T20I squad earlier in the year along with Mohammad Rizwan. He was also ignored for the 2025 Asia Cup, where the Men in Green suffered three defeats against India, including one in the final.
Following Pakistan’s below-par run, the selectors recalled Azam and he is set to play his first T20I of the year on October 28. The right-handed batsman is just 9 runs away from a world record and he is set to overtake Rohit Sharma in a huge list.
Babar Azam set to create history
Babar Azam is just 9 runs away from becoming the most successful batsman in T20Is. With 4223 runs, he sits second in the list of batsmen with the most T20I runs. Rohit finished his career with 4231 runs. The former India captain continues to top the elite list despite retiring from the shortest format after winning the 2024 World Cup in June 2024.
Azam is close to Rohit’s tally and is likely to go past him in the home series against SA. With 4188 runs, Virat Kohli is in the third position. The Indian legend retired from T20Is after winning the WC.
Pakistan vs South Africa fixtures
After the first T20I in Rawalpindi, the action will move to the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore for the second game. The second T20I wil be played on October 31. The same venue will host the third T20I on November 1.
The two teams will also lock horns in three ODIs, scheduled to be played on November 4, 6 and 8. The two-match Test series between them ended in a 1-1 draw.