Former Pakistan head coach Mickey Arthur has voiced strong support for star batter and former captain Babar Azam, calling him “absolute class” despite Babar’s current exclusion from the national T20I squad. In a recent interview with a local sports outlet, Arthur made it clear that he would always pick Babar in his playing XI.
“It’s an interesting situation. I would always have Babar Azam in the team,” Arthur said.
“I think he’s an outstanding player. I’m not sure what has happened over the last couple of years, but the Babar I know is absolute class,” he added.
The 57-year-old, who led Pakistan during one of its most successful phases in white-ball cricket, also commended Mohammad Rizwan for his adaptability and wicketkeeping abilities.
“If Rizwan is your best wicketkeeper, then he definitely has a role to play,” Arthur remarked.
“He can adjust his game to meet the team’s needs. It’s about maximizing his strengths,” he added.
It is important to note that the right-handed batter, who captained Pakistan in three ICC Men’s T20 World Cups (2021, 2022, and 2024), last appeared in a T20I for Pakistan in December 2024. He was notably left out of the recent series against New Zealand in March.
The 30-year-old has faced a difficult patch in the T20 format, failing to register a half-century since his 75-run knock against Ireland in May 2024. Nevertheless, Babar’s overall T20I record remains impressive, with 4,223 runs in 128 matches at an average of 39.83, including three centuries and 36 half-centuries.
Earlier this year, both Babar and wicketkeeper-batter Mohammad Rizwan were excluded from Pakistan’s five-match T20I series in New Zealand. The selection committee defended the decision as an opportunity to give younger players a chance. Since then, neither player has been included in T20I squads, including the upcoming three-match series against Bangladesh starting May 28 in Lahore.
In a further change, Rizwan was also removed as T20I captain after only two series, with Salman Ali Agha appointed as the new captain.
This upcoming series will be Pakistan’s first international assignment under newly appointed white-ball head coach Mike Hesson.
Originally, Bangladesh was scheduled to arrive in Pakistan in two groups on May 21 for a five-match T20I series, beginning May 25 in Faisalabad. However, due to logistical and security concerns, the series has been reduced to three matches, all to be played in Lahore.
