Pakistan’s star cricketers, Babar Azam and Naseem Shah, have opted out of the National T20 Cup, citing a packed schedule and upcoming international commitments. Their unexpected withdrawal marks a shift in their approach to regaining a place in the national T20I squad.
Key Players Miss Domestic Tournament
Babar and Naseem were initially expected to feature in the National T20 Cup, a crucial opportunity to prove their form after being dropped from the recent T20I series against New Zealand. However, both players have decided to skip the event, reportedly to focus on Pakistan’s upcoming ODI series against New Zealand and prepare for the Pakistan Super League (PSL), which starts next month.
Babar’s T20I Omission & Naseem’s Recovery
Despite being one of Pakistan’s top T20I scorers last year, Babar’s strike rate concerns led to his exclusion from the squad. Meanwhile, Naseem, who recently returned from injury, was also overlooked for the New Zealand series. Their withdrawal from domestic cricket means they miss a chance to gain match practice before upcoming international fixtures.
Rizwan Also Likely to Miss National T20 Cup
In another major development, Mohammad Rizwan, who was recently replaced as Pakistan’s T20 vice-captain by Agha Salman, is also absent from the final National T20 Cup squad. While initial reports suggested his participation, his name is missing from the final list, ruling out a chance for him to regain form in the shortest format.
Focus Shifts to ODI Series & PSL
Despite skipping the domestic tournament, Babar, Naseem, and Rizwan will be part of Pakistan’s ODI squad for the New Zealand series, providing them an opportunity to reaffirm their place in the national setup ahead of major white-ball assignments in 2025.
