Babar Azam’s return to competitive cricket after being dropped from Pakistan’s T20I squad did not go as planned, as he failed to make an impact in the National T20 Cup. The former Pakistan captain, who has been struggling for form across all three formats, is eyeing a comeback ahead of the 2025 Asia Cup and the 2026 T20 World Cup. However, his latest domestic performance has only added to concerns regarding his batting form.
Disappointing Comeback in the National T20 Cup
Playing his first competitive match since Pakistan’s disappointing 2025 Champions Trophy campaign, Babar featured for Hussain Talat-led Lahore Blues against Karachi Whites, captained by Saud Shakeel. Fast bowler Naseem Shah also played his first game of the season for Lahore Blues after being left out of Pakistan’s T20I squad for the New Zealand series.
Despite being given the opportunity to open the batting in a challenging chase of 172 runs, Babar struggled to accelerate. He managed just 22 runs off 17 balls at a strike rate of 129.41, hitting three boundaries before being dismissed by left-arm spinner Danish Aziz. Interestingly, Aziz, who has represented Pakistan in ODIs and T20Is, made all his international appearances under Babar’s captaincy. Before this match, the 29-year-old bowler had taken only 36 wickets in 71 T20 matches.
Growing Support for Young Players
While some questioned Babar’s exclusion from the national T20I squad, others argued that Pakistan’s young team, led by new skipper Salman Agha, should be given time and trust. Pakistan lost the first two T20Is against New Zealand, sparking debates over whether Babar’s experience was missed. However, his failure in domestic cricket has strengthened the case for backing fresh talent.
Lahore Blues Suffer Heavy Defeat
Babar’s underwhelming performance proved costly for Lahore Blues, as they suffered a 37-run defeat at the hands of Karachi Whites. Naseem Shah also had a forgettable outing, conceding 41 runs in his four-over spell without taking a wicket.
Despite his struggles in T20 cricket, Babar remains an integral part of Pakistan’s ODI squad. He, along with Mohammad Rizwan and Naseem Shah, has been named in the team for the upcoming ODI series against New Zealand. The first match of the 50-over series is set to take place on March 29 in Napier.
As Pakistan continues its transition phase, the debate over Babar Azam’s role in the national team remains a hot topic. Whether he can rediscover his form and reclaim his place in the T20I squad remains to be seen.
