Aaqib Javed sent a clear message to Babar Azam and other excluded players, stressing that they understand which format suits them best.
Aaqib Javed Comments on Babar Azam’s T20I Future Amid Squad Changes
Aaqib Javed, Director of the PCB’s National High-Performance Centre, recently addressed the future of former Pakistan captain Babar Azam in the national T20I setup. Babar, 30, has been excluded from Pakistan’s upcoming T20I series against Bangladesh and hasn’t featured in a T20I since December last year. This decision follows the Pakistan Cricket Board’s move to prioritize younger players amid ongoing concerns about Babar’s strike rate and its perceived impact on the team’s performance. The 2024 T20 World Cup was particularly disappointing for Pakistan, who suffered an early group-stage exit with losses against the USA and India under Babar’s leadership.
Aaqib reassured that Babar and other senior players such as Mohammad Rizwan and Shaheen Afridi, who were also dropped, remain welcome in the team. He stressed that selection is based on current performance, and players must work hard to regain their places. “The game is open to everyone. If Babar or anyone else performs well, they will earn their place,” he said. He also highlighted that players understand which formats suit them best and warned that making a comeback in the squad won’t be easy due to the competition.
The PCB and head coach Mike Hesson have advised Babar, Rizwan, and Shaheen to focus on the ICC World Test Championship and ODI matches, rather than T20Is, for the foreseeable future.
Babar Azam set to play in BBL
Babar Azam has secured a place with the Sydney Sixers in the upcoming Big Bash League (BBL), scheduled from December 28 to late January, after the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) granted him a No Objection Certificate (NOC). This opportunity allows Babar to showcase his T20 skills on a major international stage, potentially strengthening his case for a return to Pakistan’s T20I squad.
Expressing his excitement, Babar said, “I’m very proud to be joining the Sydney Sixers for the upcoming season.” He described the BBL as one of the world’s best T20 leagues and praised the Sixers as a successful and respected franchise. Babar also shared his eagerness to contribute to the team’s success and build a strong rapport with fans.
He further added that this experience would be meaningful to him, as he looks forward to sharing it with friends, family, and supporters back home in Pakistan. With this high-profile league stint, Babar aims to reaffirm his T20 credentials and put himself back in contention for future selections.