Pakistan’s cricket stars Babar Azam and Naseem Shah have officially withdrawn from the National T20 Cup, choosing to skip the domestic tournament as they navigate a demanding international schedule. Initially slated to participate, the duo’s withdrawal marks a notable shift in their preparation for upcoming international fixtures.
The National T20 Cup was viewed as a crucial opportunity for both Babar and Naseem to make their case for a return to Pakistan’s T20I squad, following their exclusion from the recent series against New Zealand. However, the players reportedly decided to opt out, likely due to the upcoming ODI series against New Zealand and the Pakistan Super League (PSL), which is set to kick off next month.
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Babar, who was among the top run-scorers for Pakistan in T20 internationals last year, faced criticism over his strike rate, which is believed to have played a part in his exclusion from the T20I squad. Naseem, meanwhile, has been recovering from an injury and was also left out of the squad for the New Zealand T20Is.
Both players faced increased scrutiny after a disappointing Champions Trophy campaign, where their individual performances fell short of expectations. Their absence from the National T20 Cup means they will miss out on valuable match practice ahead of the upcoming international commitments.
In a related development, Mohammad Rizwan, who was also left out of the T20I squad and replaced as vice-captain by Agha Salman, is unlikely to feature in the National T20 Cup. Despite initial reports suggesting his participation, his name is absent from the final squad list.
While the trio won’t take part in the domestic competition, Babar, Naseem, and Rizwan will be key members of Pakistan’s ODI squad for the New Zealand series, offering them a chance to regain form and cement their place ahead of major white-ball tournaments.
