Pakistan national cricket team’s former captain Babar Azam has decided to skip the National T20 Championship to focus on improving his batting ahead of the upcoming Pakistan Super League season (PSL) 2026. Babar was initially named in the Lahore Whites squad for the domestic tournament in Peshawar but has decided not to participate following a difficult run of form in recent months. Instead of playing in the domestic competition, the right-handed batter will work on his batting with a group of coaches. The identities of the coaches have not been disclosed. According to a source close to the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), Babar and team management agreed that the batter should concentrate on addressing “flaws in his batting technique” rather than playing in the national tournament.
The 31-year-old endured a disappointing campaign in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 and was subsequently left out of Pakistan’s squad for the three-match ODI series against Bangladesh. Babar struggled for form during the tournament, scoring just 91 runs in four innings, with a highest score of 46 against the United States. He managed only five runs against India before being bowled by Axar Patel. In Pakistan’s match against Namibia, Babar was moved down the batting order and did not get an opportunity to bat. Pakistan lost to India in the group stage and were later eliminated from the tournament during the Super 8 phase.
Babar has not participated in any domestic competitions apart from the Pakistan Super League since 2020. Last year, he also skipped two matches in Pakistan’s premier first-class tournament despite struggling for form. He is set to return to competitive action in the 11th season of the PSL, where he will open the batting for Peshawar Zalmi.
The upcoming PSL season will feature eight teams and is scheduled to begin March 26, two days before the start of the Indian Premier League 2026. A total of 44 matches will be played across six venues — Karachi, Lahore, Multan, Rawalpindi, Faisalabad and Peshawar.
Defending champions Lahore Qalandars will face Hyderabad Houston Kingsmen in the opening match. The final is set to be held at Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore on May 3, with a reserve day on May 4. The knockout stage will begin May 2.
(With PTI Inputs)
