Babar Azam alongside pals at household at a pedal tennis courtroom, March 3, 2025. — Reporter
After the nationwide crew’s elimination from the event, gamers returned dwelling final week. Whereas many are taking a break from cricket, Babar has turned to padel tennis as a leisure exercise.
He has been seen enjoying alongside cricketers Imam-ul-Haq and Usman Qadir, in addition to his brothers.
Pakistan’s subsequent worldwide task is a tour of New Zealand, the place they may face the hosts in a T20 sequence.
Nonetheless, sources point out that Babar Azam is unlikely to be included within the T20 squad for the sequence. A remaining choice relating to his participation within the ODI squad remains to be pending.
Babar Azam alongside pals at household at a pedal tennis courtroom, March 3, 2025. — Reporter
In the meantime, selectors are anticipated to introduce younger gamers within the T20 squad for the New Zealand tour as a part of a crew rebuilding technique following poor efficiency of the nationwide crew within the ICC Champions Trophy, as per sources.
Notably, the nationwide crew is scheduled to go away for New Zealand on March 12, the place the primary section of the 5 T20I sequence will start from March 16.
This choice aligns with Pakistan’s long-term technique for the 2026 T20 World Cup, set to be hosted in India and Sri Lanka.
Captain Mohammad Rizwan shall be rested as a part of this overhaul. All-rounder Shadab Khan is reportedly being thought-about to take over the captaincy function.
A number of cricketers are anticipated to be dropped from the squad, together with Babar Azam, Shaheen Afridi, Haris Rauf, Fakhar Zaman, Imam-ul-Haq, Tayyab Tahir and Kamran Ghulam.
The cricketers prone to be included are Mohammad Haris, Sufiyan Muqeem, Arafat Minhas, Irfan Khan Niazi, Zaman Khan, Mohammad Wasim Jr, Abbas Afridi, Jahandad Khan.
Former Pakistan off-spinner Saqlain Mushtaq is predicted to take over because the nationwide cricket crew’s head coach.
Based on insiders, Saqlain has agreed to the function after a gathering with PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi.
He’s prone to assume his obligations earlier than Pakistan’s upcoming tour of New Zealand, the place the crew is ready to play 5 T20Is and three ODIs from March 16 to April 5.
