RAWALPINDI: Pakistan’s newly appointed T20I captain Sahibzada Farhan has made his position clear on the possible returns of senior batters Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan, insisting that the door remains open for the experienced duo to rejoin the national team.
Speaking at a pre-series press conference in Rawalpindi ahead of Pakistan’s three-match T20I series against Sri Lanka, Farhan praised both players and described them as among the best in the world.
“Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan are the best players in the world. Babar and Rizwan can return to T20 cricket at any time,” Farhan said.
The captain’s comments come as Pakistan continue to experiment with their T20I combinations while preparing for upcoming international assignments. Despite their absence from the current squad, both batters remain among Pakistan’s most prolific performers in the shortest international format.
Babar has scored 4,596 runs in T20 internationals, while Rizwan has accumulated 3,414 runs. Their experience and consistency have made them key figures in Pakistan’s batting lineup over the years.
Babar last featured in a T20I against England at Pallekele on February 24 during the 2026 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, jointly hosted by India and Sri Lanka. He remains in contention for Pakistan’s upcoming Test and ODI assignments.
Rizwan, meanwhile, has not played a T20 international since Pakistan’s series against South Africa in 2024. He is also facing an investigation linked to a case registered with the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency.
Beyond discussing the senior batters, Farhan expressed confidence in his ability to lead Pakistan, saying captaincy would not place additional pressure on him because of his previous experience leading domestic teams.
The opening batter also credited former Pakistan captain Sarfaraz Ahmed for shaping his leadership approach. Farhan praised Sarfaraz for maintaining a relaxed dressing-room atmosphere, treating players respectfully and encouraging a positive team environment.
Pakistan will begin their three-match T20I series against Sri Lanka in Rawalpindi on Friday, marking Farhan’s first assignment as national captain.
With Babar and Rizwan’s futures attracting attention, Farhan’s remarks suggest that experience could still have a place in Pakistan’s evolving T20I plans.
