Pakistan's T20I team is slowly taking shape, hinting at a promising future on the international cricket stage beyond Rizbar.

In the recent months (up to September 2025), Pakistan's T20I team has showcased a more aggressive, modern, and risk-taking batting strategy. Here's a rundown of the key players driving this change:

Key Players of the Modern Offensive

Mohammad Rizwan (Wicketkeeper-Batter, Opener)

Rizwan remains one of the most consistent run-makers worldwide, even in the T20 format. His focus on quick setting and efficient strike rotation, combined with targeted aggression, often results in a more consistent start.

Babar Azam (Captain, Opener)

Babar continues to be a cornerstone of the team, but has recently increased his strike rate and sets earlier to increase pressure on the opposition.

Saim Ayub (Opener)

Ayub, a young talent, has been integrated into the team and shines through his aggressive mindset. His aggressive approach at the beginning and his ability to score runs quickly have given the team a new momentum.

Iftikhar Ahmed (Middle-Order Batter)

Iftikhar, also known as "Ifti Mania", is established as a power-hitter in the middle of the team. His ability to perform well in the death overs (often with a strike rate over 150) often proves decisive.

Asif Ali (Middle-Order Batter)

Asif Ali is a classic finisher, who deliberately targets sixes in the final overs. In crucial games, he has shown that he can single-handedly turn the game around with just a few balls.

Fakhar Zaman (Aggressive Top-Order Batter)

Fakhar remains a risk-taking batsman, who is always dangerous with his left-handedness and ability to hit early sixes. However, he has not always been consistent in T20Is recently.

Imad Wasim (All-rounder, Aggressive Batter)

Imad provides balance as a spin-all-rounder, but can also boost the scoring rate when he comes early.

New Faces and Alternatives

Azam Khan (Wicketkeeper-Batter)

The integration of Azam Khan as a powerful wicketkeeper-batter has added more power to the lower middle order. His strike rate is often impressive, although his consistency is still growing.

Abdullah Shafique (Top-Order Batter)

Shafique has been occasionally used as an experimental opener, trying to integrate modern batting techniques into his game.

In Summary

Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan, Saim Ayub, Iftikhar Ahmed, and Fakhar Zaman are the main actors who have enabled Pakistan to adopt a more offensive batting order in the last few months. Asif Ali and Azam Khan take on crucial finishing roles, while Imad Wasim provides additional balance and attack in the middle order. This mix of experience and talent, combined with a more aggressive mindset, has noticeably improved Pakistan's T20I batting.

Would you like detailed statistics for individual players or an analysis of their specific contributions in certain series? - Agha and Ayub provide part-time off-spin options, covering the match-ups against left-handers. - Sahibzada Farhan's strike rate after eight games is 149.13. - Pakistan's middle order and finishers have shown significant improvement in 2025. - Pakistan are no longer reliant only on their frontline trio in bowling. - Faheem at No.8 adds depth with the bat and can reliably bowl four overs of seam. - Shadab offers leg-spin along with the ability to score quickly through the middle overs, while Nawaz provides a left-arm orthodox option. - Hasan Nawaz's strike rate of 174.13 is the best any Pakistan batter with more than 100 T20I runs has managed, ever. - Pakistan's openers have scored at a rate of 143.49 since the New Zealand tour. - Pakistan's win/loss ratio in T20Is since the New Zealand tour is 1.285. - Six Pakistan players this year have scored at least 80 runs and taken a wicket, including Ayub and Agha from the top order. - Pakistan have moved on from Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan in T20I cricket. - Khushdil Shah adds another left-arm angle, with the bonus of power-hitting in the lower order. - The PSL has unearthed further depth in bowling, with Hasan Ali rediscovering form and Abbas Afridi and Salman Mirza emerging as promising options. - Across 16 T20Is without Rizwan and Babar, Pakistan have won nine. - The Pakistan T20I side has shown a structural shift in their batting, batting with greater freedom and younger players playing without fear.