Pakistan’s star cricketers Babar Azam and Naseem Shah have withdrawn from the National T20 Cup, opting out of the domestic tournament amid a packed schedule.
The duo, initially expected to participate, reportedly reversed their decision, marking a significant shift in their preparation for upcoming international fixtures.
The National T20 Cup was seen as a key opportunity for Babar and Naseem to regain their spots in Pakistan’s T20I squad after being dropped for the series against New Zealand.
However, both players have opted out, with reports suggesting their decision is influenced by Pakistan’s upcoming ODI series against New Zealand and the Pakistan Super League (PSL), which begins next month.
Babar, who was among Pakistan’s top scorers in T20Is last year, faced scrutiny over his strike rate, which reportedly contributed to his omission from the squad. Meanwhile, Naseem, returning from injury, was also overlooked for the New Zealand T20Is.
Both players, on the back of a disappointing Champions Trophy campaign, are under greater scrutinity due to poor individual performances in the tournament.
In another development, Mohammad Rizwan, also left out of the T20I squad and replaced as vice-captain by Agha Salman, is unlikely to feature in the National T20 Cup.
While initial reports suggested he might participate, his name is missing from the final list, ruling out a chance for the trio to gain valuable match practice.
Despite their absence from the domestic competition, 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.