Pakistan Twenty20 International cricket captain Sahibzada Farhan on Thursday said that star batters Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan can return to the national side's Twenty20 International squad at any time. Speaking at the pre-series press conference ahead of Pakistan's Twenty20 International series against Sri Lanka, Farhan praised the experienced duo while discussing the team's current composition and future prospects.
"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 during the media interaction.
He emphasized that the immense experience both cricketers possess remains a valuable asset for Pakistan cricket across all formats of the game. Babar and Rizwan are among Pakistan's leading run-scorers in Twenty20 Internationals, with Babar having accumulated 4,596 runs, followed by Rizwan with 3,414 runs.
Their consistent performances over the years have established them as central figures in the country's modern cricket history. Babar's most recent Twenty20 International appearance came against England at Pallekele International Cricket Stadium on February 24 this year during the T20 World Cup, co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka.
Meanwhile, Rizwan last represented Pakistan in the format in 2024 against South Africa during a bilateral series. Neither player is part of the current Twenty20 International squad for the upcoming fixtures.
Babar is set to feature in Pakistan's upcoming one-day international and Test assignments, while Rizwan is currently under investigation following a case registered with the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA). Farhan, who has previously captained teams in domestic cricket, said he was comfortable with the responsibilities that came with leading the national side and was not concerned about how long he would remain in the role.
He believes teamwork and focus are essential for success. "Captaincy is not a major issue for me because I have already led teams in domestic cricket," he stated.
He added that his primary goal is to ensure the team plays cohesive cricket and brings joy to the passionate fans across the country. The newly appointed Twenty20 International captain also praised former Pakistan skipper Sarfaraz Ahmed, under whom he played extensively, and identified him as a leadership role model.
He noted that Sarfaraz's calm demeanor on the field left a lasting impression on him. "I have played a lot under Sarfaraz Ahmed's captaincy, and I really liked his leadership style.
He was very relaxed, treated everyone exceptionally well on the field, and created a positive dressing room environment. I look up to him a lot," Farhan said.
The series against Sri Lanka is viewed by sports analysts as a crucial testing ground for Pakistan's younger generation of players. With several senior names rested or omitted, the management is keen to expand the talent pool ahead of future global tournaments.