What is Pakistan’s T20I record since dropping Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan?
Pakistan have dropped experienced campaigners Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan from the upcoming 2025 Asia Cup squad. The duo has played saveral multi-nation tournaments, but the selectors have now moved on from their conservative approach in the T20I format. Pakistan have rebranded their approach in the shortest format, expressing confidence in their young, fearless batters over their consistent run-scorers.
Things began to change after Pakistan’s early exit from the T20 World Cup 2024, which was followed by Babar Azam losing the T20I captaincy. Mohammad Rizwan was appointed as the new captain, but both were still part of the team and very much in the scheme of things. However, the 3-0 whitewash vs Australia and 2-0 defeat to South Africa in the T20I series that followed led to Pakistan taking major decisions.
Perhaps, more than their form, it was the strike rates of Babar and Rizwan that prompted PCB to move on from the duo and rebrand their T20 cricket.
Babar Azam, Rizwan dropped from NZ T20Is; Salman Agha appointed captain
New Zealand Tour (March 16–26, 2025)
Pakistan lost: 4–1
With their eyes on the T20 World Cup 2026 and Asia Cup 2025, Pakistan appointed Salman Ali Agha as their new T20 captain and dropped Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan for the T20I series against New Zealand. The duo made way for new faces in the squad, and Pakistan suffered a heavy defeat by a 4-1 margin.
The opening duo of Mohammad Haris and Hasan Nawaz couldn’t provide the starts they were looking for, but they did give a glimpse of their fierce ball striking in the third T20I. Hasan Nawaz notched the fastest T20I hundred by a Pakistan batter, playing an unbeaten knock of 105 runs in 45 balls. Mohammad Haris (41 off 20) and Salman Agha (51 off 31) didn’t stop from the other end either, as Pakistan chased down a 205-run total in just 16 overs.
Bangladesh tour of Pakistan (May–June 2025)
Pakistan won: 3-0
Pakistan turned New Zealand disappointment into moments of joy in the T20I series against Bangladesh, clinching the series with a spirited performance.
They played like a modern T20I team. The intent was visible, and it paid off in all three games. Saim Ayub and Mohammad Harris made their return, while Sahibzada Farhan was given his preferred opening role, and suddenly, it looked like a completely different T20I side.
The batters hunted in a pack and blanked Bangladesh 3-0. Pakistan registered scores of 201, 201, and 196. Under new head coach Mike Hesson, they sensed a renewed hope for a turnaround.
Away T20 Series vs Bangladesh (July 2025)
Pakistan lost: 1–2
A high-flying Pakistan’s batting was brought back onto the ground when they visited Bangladesh for their next T20I assignment. Coach Hesson wasn’t too pleased with the pitches being prepared as Pakistan were bowled out for scores of 109 and 125. However, they finished the tour with a 74-run win in the third T20I.
T20 Series vs West Indies (USA & West Indies Tour, July–August 2025)
Pakistan won: 2-1
Pakistan exhibited an all-round show to beat West Indies 2-1 in the three-match away series. They opened with Sahibzada Farhan and Saim Ayub, while Fakhar Zaman came in at number three. This top-order trio provided aggressive starts, laying a strong foundation for the middle order to capitalize on.
It would be fair to say that the absence of Mohammad Rizwan and Babar Azam hasn’t hurt Pakistan’s fortunes in T20Is. In fact, it appears to have revived their intent and approach in the shortest format. The new top-order has delivered consistent performances, and Pakistan will be eager to carry this momentum into the all-important Asia Cup 2025.
Here’s a look at Pakistan’s overall results since Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan were dropped from the T20I squad:
Matches played: 14 T20Is
Wins: 7
Losses: 7
