Babar Azam Withdraws From National T20 Championship to Work on Batting Technique
Former Pakistan national cricket team captain Babar Azam has opted out of the ongoing National T20 Championship to focus on correcting flaws in his batting technique ahead of the upcoming Pakistan Super League (PSL), which begins on March 26.
Babar’s name had initially been included in the Lahore Whites squad for the domestic tournament currently being played in Peshawar. However, according to reports, the star batter has decided not to participate in the competition and will instead spend time working with coaches to address issues in his batting.
A source close to the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) said that the decision was taken after discussions between Babar and the team management.
The management felt it would be more beneficial for him to work on the “flaws in his batting technique” rather than playing in the domestic event.
The move comes at a challenging time for Babar, who has struggled to regain his best form since 2024. Once ranked No.1 in the International Cricket Council (ICC) batting rankings across formats, the right-hander has faced criticism following a disappointing campaign in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup.
His dip in form even led to him being dropped from Pakistan’s final Super Eight match against Sri Lanka national cricket team during the tournament, which was eventually won by India national cricket team.
Despite skipping the National T20 Championship, Babar is expected to feature prominently in the upcoming PSL season. He will represent Peshawar Zalmi and is likely to open the batting for the franchise in the tournament.
Interestingly, Babar has not been active in Pakistan’s domestic competitions in recent years. Apart from the PSL, he has largely stayed away from domestic cricket since 2020. He also skipped two first-class matches in the country’s premier red-ball competition late last year, even as questions about his form persisted.
By stepping away from the domestic tournament, Babar appears determined to regain his batting rhythm and rediscover the form that once made him one of the most dominant batters in international cricket. Cricket fans and analysts will now closely watch whether the break and technical adjustments help him make a strong comeback in the upcoming PSL season.
