By Zainab Shafiq 
In a surprising turn of events, Pakistan’s cricket stars Babar Azam and Naseem Shah have decided to skip the upcoming National T20 Cup, the country’s premier domestic T20 competition. This decision comes despite earlier reports suggesting their participation, leaving fans disappointed as the duo will now be absent from the tournament.
The withdrawal of Babar and Naseem has sparked speculation about their priorities, especially given their recent exclusion from Pakistan’s T20I squad for the New Zealand series.
The National T20 Cup was seen as a golden opportunity for the two to regain form and stake their claim for a spot back in the national team. However, their decision to step back appears to be driven by a hectic schedule looming on the horizon.
Why Babar and Naseem will skip National T20 Cup?
Pakistan’s cricket calendar is packed with high-stakes matches, including the ODI series against New Zealand and the much-anticipated Pakistan Super League (PSL), which kicks off next month. Sources suggest that Babar and Naseem are focusing on these upcoming commitments, opting to rest and prepare rather than risk burnout in the domestic circuit.
Babar Azam, Pakistan’s former T20I captain, has been under scrutiny for his strike rate in the shortest format, which reportedly led to his omission from the T20I squad. Similarly, Naseem Shah, despite his explosive talent, has been sidelined as the team management experiments with new combinations. Their absence from the National T20 Cup raises questions about their future in T20 cricket, especially with younger players vying for their spots.
Rizwan all set to miss the premier domestic tournament
Adding to the intrigue, Mohammad Rizwan, another key player dropped from the T20I squad, is also unlikely to feature in the domestic tournament. Rizwan, who was replaced as captain by Agha Salman, has chosen to focus on the ODI series against New Zealand, where he, along with Babar and Naseem, will look to prove their mettle in white-ball cricket.
While the trio’s absence from the National T20 Cup is a blow to the tournament’s star power, it underscores the intense demands of modern cricket. With the PSL and international fixtures on the horizon, Babar, Naseem, and Rizwan are prioritizing their roles in bigger arenas, leaving fans to wonder if this decision will pay off in the long run.
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