As Pakistan’s T20I team seems to be quickly moving on from the once-famed pairing of Mohammad Rizwan and Babar Azam, former captain Salman Butt has voiced his support for the duo, believing that they may still have a future in the format.
In an in-depth conversation with cricket analyst Sanaullah, Salman Butt laid out his case, reminding fans and critics alike of Babar and Rizwan’s long-standing contributions to Pakistan’s white-ball cricket.
“Babar topped the ICC T20I ranking charts for three years and is the leading run-scorer for Pakistan. He is the second leading run-getter in T20Is in the world and only behind India’s Rohit Sharma by a few runs,” Salman said, defending Babar’s track record.
According to Butt, while it’s natural for top players to go through lean patches, Babar’s recent dip in form shouldn’t erase years of match-winning consistency.
“Babar is still young. Yes, runs aren’t flowing like they once did, but that happens. Every great player has a quiet phase. What matters is how they bounce back — and I believe Babar will.”
He also argued that the criticism around Babar and Rizwan’s cautious starts in powerplays misses the bigger picture. He said both batters often carried Pakistan’s innings single-handedly and provided a level of stability that can’t be easily replaced.
He acknowledged that Pakistan is searching for a more aggressive template but emphasized that someone of Babar’s stature might still be essential—especially in tough conditions where a calm, composed anchor is needed.
“If you can build a strong, attacking unit without Babar and Rizwan, that’s great. But until then, you can’t just discard your most experienced players,” he warned.
Salman Butt is not alone in still seeing a future for Babar and Rizwan in the format. Pakistan’s coach Mike Hesson continues to insist that the duo will be looked at for selection if the criteria demand it.
For now though, they will have to bide their time sitting on the sidelines. Babar and Rizwan, along with Shaheen Shah Afridi, were not picked for the recent 3-0 series win over Bangladesh, with the selectors going for a fresh-look team with an emphasis on aggressive, fearless cricket.
As Pakistan continues to reshape its T20I identity, Salman Butt’s message is clear: experiment, yes—but not at the cost of proven class. For all their recent struggles, he believes Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan still have plenty to offer and perhaps, still some unfinished business in the shortest format.
