Why are Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan not playing the National T20 cup 2025?

[Rana]

Searching for their names in the squads announced, cannot find them. It is confirmed they will not feature in their domestic tournament even though Babar Azam’s dad claimed his son will play the national T20 cup.

The excuse apparently is that they need to ‘rest’. Well the same excuse should then apply for Imam ul Haq and Tayyab Tahir who are also part of the NZ tour ODI squad. The team departs for the tour after the 21st of March, by then all of the group stage games of the tournament will be completed. There is no excuse not to play?!

Let me also remind you, the same Mohammad Rizwan who claims to want a rest had no issue flying out after a game v NZ in 2022 the same night to play a BPL match the very next day. How is it that he wants a rest from the National T20 cup now? Is it because his pride and ego doesn’t allow him to play the tournament?

 

[Rana]

WATCH: Hours after playing 3rd ODI vs NZ in Karachi, Rizwan lands in Bangladesh in helicopter to play BPL match

Pakistan wicket-keeper batter Mohammad Rizwan had a whirlwind 24 hours after playing the third ODI against New Zealand in Karachi, he landed in Bangladesh the next day in a specially-arranged helicopter by his BPL franchise Comilla Victorians., Cricket News, Times Now

www.timesnownews.com

What’s the issue now for Rizwan? A centrally contracted player of the PCB?

 

[mominsaigol]

Searching for their names in the squads announced, cannot find them. It is confirmed they will not feature in their domestic tournament even though Babar Azam’s dad claimed his son will play the national T20 cup.

The excuse apparently is that they need to ‘rest’. Well the same excuse should then apply for Imam ul Haq and Tayyab Tahir who are also part of the NZ tour ODI squad. The team departs for the tour after the 21st of March, by then all of the group stage games of the tournament will be completed. There is no excuse not to play?!

Let me also remind you, the same Mohammad Rizwan who claims to want a rest had no issue flying out after a game v NZ in 2022 the same night to play a BPL match the very next day. How is it that he wants a rest from the National T20 cup now? Is it because his pride and ego doesn’t allow him to play the tournament?

Quick question, why do you want them to play bro?

Isn't this what you wanted? Unless rizwan and babar make a return in t20 internationals without any explanation, I don't see how this is currently an issue.

This becomes an issue if they return but atm their not in the t20 side vs NZ

 

[Rana]

Quick question, why do you want them to play bro?

Isn't this what you wanted? Unless rizwan and babar make a return in t20 internationals without any explanation, I don't see how this is currently an issue.

This becomes an issue if they return but atm their not in the t20 side vs NZ

I want to see how they wish to return back in the side. Do they realise their approach and strategy was wrong? Are they willing to show that they can serve Pakistan properly in the right positions with the right approach and strike rate.

I am interested to see what they will do to get back into the side.

 

[mominsaigol]

I want to see how they wish to return back in the side. Do they realise their approach and strategy was wrong? Are they willing to show that they can serve Pakistan properly in the right positions with the right approach and strike rate.

I am interested to see what they will do to get back into the side.

I am interested to see what they will do to get back into the side.

Bajwa sahib, may we join the military .

They won't do anything. 1 of 2 things will happen.

A) Ba/Riz never return

B) Ba/Riz return randomly.

Theirs no universe in which they return on merit.

 

[Rana]

I am interested to see what they will do to get back into the side.

Bajwa sahib, may we join the military .

They won't do anything. 1 of 2 things will happen.

A) Ba/Riz never return

B) Ba/Riz return randomly.

Theirs no universe in which they return on merit.

Which is fine, but we need to stay on top of it. Otherwise you know how narratives are easily formed to favour them.

 

[jamie smith]

Rizwan fears being exposed by fellow opening partner Maaz in peshawar.

 

[jamie smith]

I am interested to see what they will do to get back into the side.

Bajwa sahib, may we join the military .

They won't do anything. 1 of 2 things will happen.

A) Ba/Riz never return

B) Ba/Riz return randomly.

Theirs no universe in which they return on merit.

Babar will be back for asia cup as he will definitely perform in psl.
Rizwans T20 career is over for now.

 

[Rana]

Rizwan fears being exposed by fellow opening partner Maaz in peshawar.

He’s never had this fear in the national side or in PSL where he has consistently been poor with his sr. How is it that he suddenly feels threatened?

 

[jamie smith]

He’s never had this fear in the national side or in PSL where he has consistently been poor with his sr. How is it that he suddenly feels threatened?

Because he is under the hammer now as most of his suppoters have got to know his reality.

 

[Rana]

Babar and Rizwan are category A contract players until the next year of contract announcement. They are paid to play 3 formats for Pakistan.

How they can skip matches in the domestic circuit having been dropped from the team for this format is beyond ridiculous, and then you pay guys who will never really get the chance to represent Pakistan with 10k rupees per match!

 

[Rana]

Because he is under the hammer now as most of his suppoters have got to know his reality.

I don’t think his supporters have accepted the reality. They never will.

 

[MenInG]

Babar and Rizwan are category A contract players until the next year of contract announcement. They are paid to play 3 formats for Pakistan.

How they can skip matches in the domestic circuit having been dropped from the team for this format is beyond ridiculous, and then you pay guys who will never really get the chance to represent Pakistan with 10k rupees per match!

No excuse and tbh, PCB management have a lot to answer for this.

 

[Kianig89]

May be they ve realised their T20 career is henceforth no objective to play in T20 Cup.

 

[Major]

Maybe they dont have Bajwas sifarish like Safraz used to have.

 

[jamie smith]

May be they ve realised their T20 career is henceforth no objective to play in T20 Cup.

So why would they play in psl??
Then they should pull out of psl also

 

[Rana]

Maybe they dont have Bajwas sifarish like Safraz used to have.

Why would Sarfaraz the captain who lead Pakistan to number 1 having won a continuous amount of series as leader need sifarish?

 

[Rana]

So why would they play in psl??
Then they should pull out of psl also

Or they should genuinely retire from T20s and have their central contracts reduced to Cat B

 

[Major]

Why would Sarfaraz the captain who lead Pakistan to number 1 having won a continuous amount of series as leader need sifarish?

I dont know, ask Bajwa, because Bajwa had to do his sifarish back in 2021 to add him the world t20 squad.

 

[Kianig89]

So why would they play in psl??
Then they should pull out of psl also

So you want to snatch their livelihood, may be the PSL organisers want to have them

 

[shaz619]

They don’t wish to play for a multitude of reasons:

1. They want to protect their current position & interest, their shills justify their selection based on performances in irrelevant formats; e.g They retain their position in the ODI team but were punished for poor performances in it by being dropped from T20’s. If they perform poorly in domestic T20’s, in the future it could interfere with the narrative to select them in Tests & ODI’s, it’s a full re!ard logic but this how Pakistan cricket functions, also see Fakhar Zaman being dropped for a tweet from a bot or Aghah Salman being set-up through the T20I captaincy. In theory, they have breached their contract and obligations towards Pakistan cricket, the PCB should be demoting them from their current category.

2. Extremely selfish players with huge inflated ego’s, when you are so selfish that you think you’re better than everyone, despite consistent failures, how can you begin to improve in any way ? These players don’t think on the level of the best in the world, they don’t think they need to improve their skills.

3. Domestic cricket is beneath them and they don’t need to perform in it when they can simply politick their way into the side.

Their choices should signify how corrupt these players are, but their one track supporters don’t see it that way and are special cases themselves.

 

[Rana]

I dont know, ask Bajwa, because Bajwa had to do his sifarish back in 2021 to add him the world t20 squad.

Because Bajwa knew injustice was being done by pMisbah? Even if he did call in for them, it was right for the sake of Sarfaraz and Fakhar.

Respect Bajwa sahib.

 

[Major]

Because Bajwa knew injustice was being done by pMisbah? Even if he did call in for them, it was right for the sake of Sarfaraz and Fakhar.

Respect Bajwa sahib.

So Sarfraz is a parchi of Bajwa

 

[shaz619]

Quick question, why do you want them to play bro?

Isn't this what you wanted? Unless rizwan and babar make a return in t20 internationals without any explanation, I don't see how this is currently an issue.

This becomes an issue if they return but atm their not in the t20 side vs NZ

Personally, if I saw that an individual was capable of serious change and made every effort to return to the team the right way, why not ? It’s not impossible, you just need the marbles for it and a bit of heart. Allah (swt) has blessed us all with powers beyond our imagination, but a bare bum in the shower is a bare bum, and in this case we have a pair of bums.

 

[Rana]

So Sarfraz is a parchi of Bajwa

Is Misbah the parchi of Bajwa too?

 

[Kianig89]

Babar and Rizwan get washed up daily by some insecure posters pathetic.

Babar and Rizwan plays every series gets lambasted.

Babar and Rizwan skips a random domestic cricket , fairly understandable with PsL looming still they are ridiculed

 

[Rana]

It is reported Pakistan Cat A players earn 6.5m PKR per month, not sure how much that equates to £/$

This is the amount you are paid to be available for all 3 formats be it international and domestic. Those who do not earn 1/100 of this kind of monthly retainer fee are being paid 10k pkr to play in the national T20 cup per match. I think that’s about £40 in UK money. 99% of these guys will never attain anywhere near the same favours done on Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan. What kind of reward system is this??

 

[shaz619]

This is a good thread, it should make those who are blind and stupid, question why they still support these clowns.

They say it’s good to respond to bigotry by asking the ignoramus thought provoking questions.

The thread inherently exposes what flawed personalities Babar & Rizwan are, it’s about time you recognise this and if not, we will continue to attack.

 

[Major]

Is Misbah the parchi of Bajwa too?

Unlike Sarfraz Misbah didnt need Army to get selected.

Bechara, had to go to Rawalpindi for Sifarish. Biggest parchi after Imran Farhat

 

[Rana]

A guy gifted and talented enough to play professional cricket in Pakistan is being paid £40-50 per match.

How is this fair in a system where your top earner scored 16 off 26 in a T20 powerplay in Sydney?

 

[Rana]

Unlike Sarfraz Misbah didnt need Army to get selected.

Bechara, had to go to Rawalpindi for Sifarish. Biggest parchi after Imran Farhat

Sarfaraz had the same parchi as Fakhar according to that report. Why not single out Fakhar?

You do these things and then you cry so much when @topspin turns up in the evening to give you your routine evening spanking.

 

[shaz619]

It is reported Pakistan Cat A players earn 6.5m PKR per month, not sure how much that equates to £/$

This is the amount you are paid to be available for all 3 formats be it international and domestic. Those who do not earn 1/100 of this kind of monthly retainer fee are being paid 10k pkr to play in the national T20 cup per match. I think that’s about £40 in UK money. 99% of these guys will never attain anywhere near the same favours done on Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan. What kind of reward system is this??

They are basically eating into the pay check off poor domestic cricketers and our investment in them. If they can’t be bothered then their pay should be cut. It’s like being paid for your full weekly hours but just deciding that you know what, am only going to work a couple of days; why should you get a full pay check and a cherry on top ?

 

[Kianig89]

I wonder what agenda is being floated here by a certain fella and his sycophants.

 

[Rana]

I wonder what agenda is being floated here by a certain fella and his sycophants.

My agenda is to have Jahandad Khan replace Shan Masood in Test cricket

 

[shaz619]

And Misbah should also thank Mohammad Amir & Salman Butt for his career, the wasteman was going to burn his cricket kit, what a coward.

 

[Kianig89]

My agenda is to have Jahandad Khan replace Shan Masood in Test cricket

Good a failure batsman in mid 30s needs to be replaced with a young allrounder.

 

[Major]

Sarfaraz had the same parchi as Fakhar according to that report. Why not single out Fakhar?

You do these things and then you cry so much when @topspin turns up in the evening to give you your routine evening spanking.

Well than Fakhar is also a parchi so is Sarfraz and so is Haider Ali.

 

[Rana]

Good a failure batsman in mid 30s needs to be replaced with a young allrounder.

So now you want Jahandad to replace Babar in Test?

 

[Rana]

If they are willing to skip this and do what they need to in PSL, why then shouldn’t Iftikhar and Asif Ali do the same? Why are they playing the T20 cup??

 

[Kianig89]

So now you want Jahandad to replace Babar in Test?

No I want Jehandad to replace failure Shan Masood

 

[Savak]

This is where the PCB is weak. Always boys down to player pressure and power.

 

[Rana]

Lool Major should not be mentioning Sarfraz’s name at all. This guy took over from his beloved Misbah and schooled him on how to win an ICC tournament.

Especially after Misbah’s parchi Azhar Ali was discarded after 1 series.

 

[hafizexpress]

They expect to return to the t20 squad before the WC and hence feel no urge to fight for their selection. They might statpad in the PSL to justify selection that way and get their blind ignoramus fans bashing the board for their incompetence and pressuring them to select them.

The next year and a half is a crucial stage for the PCB to show the world if they're really just pushovers, unjust, or easily manipulated, or if they have a vision and want betterment for Pak cricket.

 

[shah9425]

They should have played these tournaments

 

[RizwanT20Champ]

They should be playing these tournaments even if @Bewal Express is against this. In general players should not be able to pick and choose what they play when they are in bad form.

 

[kingusama92]

Unless they have personal reasons (doubt it), this shows their mindset.

These are the players "leading" your younger players. Babar and Rizwan should be showing up to these tournaments to work on their game while also making a positive contribution to the system.

Babar's mindset has been wrong from the start including when he swooped in to take Shaheen's captaincy.

 

[SportsWarrior]

May be because they are paying peanuts??

 

[adil_909]

May be because they are paying peanuts??

If this is true, then this is absolutely pathetic by PCB. Players should boycott

 

[SportsWarrior]

If this is true, then this is absolutely pathetic by PCB. Players should boycott

Yeah, I refuse To believe something so less is acceptable to players. It is like $35 or close to 3000INR which for a professional player playing in national level is absolute peanuts

 

[kingusama92]

Yeah, I refuse To believe something so less is acceptable to players. It is like $35 or close to 3000INR which for a professional player playing in national level is absolute peanuts

Still isn't a valid excuse for Babar and Rizwan.

Both are centrally contracted players and are receiving money from those contracts. They also have other squad players in the tournament that are showing up like Tayyab Tahir and Imam. Or Shan Masood and Saud Shakeel who play for the national team.

It's not a good look for these guys.

 

[Vikram1989]

May be They are too confident about their connections or new squad failure. In pak ,normally any recen drubbed player will make attempt to revive /improve himself, they just have to wait for other's failure.Take case of imam in ct with his sr issues.

 

[BouncerGuy]

Not sure why these guys are not playing. Babar is performing Umrah atm and both he and rizwan have to travel to NZ for ODI series so maybe that is why they chose to rest instead.

But 10000 match fee??? LOL PCB continues its pathetic management. Your top of the line players will never want to play for these peanuts anyways.

 

[mominsaigol]

Not sure why these guys are not playing. Babar is performing Umrah atm and both he and rizwan have to travel to NZ for ODI series so maybe that is why they chose to rest instead.

But 10000 match fee??? LOL PCB continues its pathetic management. Your top of the line players will never want to play for these peanuts anyways.

They got scared of t20 that they decided to do umrah?

 

[BouncerGuy]

They got scared of t20 that they decided to do umrah?

That is their personal choice. You cannot talk about someone's belief...

talk about cricket and yes, they should have been playing that T20 cup if they want to make a comeback now... They have been dropped rightfully.

 

[mominsaigol]

That is their personal choice. You cannot talk about someone's belief...

talk about cricket and yes, they should have been playing that T20 cup if they want to make a comeback now... They have been dropped rightfully.

I am talking about cricket. You're ignoring cricketing duty and hiding behind religion which is due story of ba/riz.

You know it and I know it

 

[hafizexpress]

I am talking about cricket. You're ignoring cricketing duty and hiding behind religion which is due story of ba/riz.

You know it and I know it

I was hoping that it was just a joke. Going for umrah in the month of Ramadan is highly virtuous in Islam and we can only assume the best when it comes to this matter, not that he went there bc he got scared and ignoring cricket duty it's a perfectly valid excuse to not play. Thanks @BouncerGuy for mentioning this as I did not know and was wrongfully accusing Babar of skipping

 

[Rana]

They have been dropped rightfully.

You firmly believe this?

 

[RizwanT20Champ]

They got scared of t20 that they decided to do umrah?

This is in very bad taste bro. I did not know this and thought they were not playing for no reason. They are fully justified in skipping it in this case. Please don't insult religious beliefs.

 

[BouncerGuy]

You firmly believe this?

I do... I wanted them to be dropped now...it was enough... These guys cannot be defended anymore.. They should focus on domestic cricket for now..

 

[RidiculousMan]

When's National T20 begining?

 

[Rana]

When's National T20 begining?

Tomorrow.

 

[mominsaigol]

I was hoping that it was just a joke. Going for umrah in the month of Ramadan is highly virtuous in Islam and we can only assume the best when it comes to this matter, not that he went there bc he got scared and ignoring cricket duty it's a perfectly valid excuse to not play. Thanks @BouncerGuy for mentioning this as I did not know and was wrongfully accusing Babar of skipping

It's a fair argument, but I'm calling things out as they are even if I have to be the villian in this argument brother.

People can't keep using the religion card forever which while noble on paper, is a very typical excuse that most people use to get out of tricky situations.

From a religion stand point, yes doing umrah in the month of ramazan is more important then playing cricket and will appeal to the masses and his fans more.

But it's also a cheap ploy to silence his critics and take heat of ove him. He's already under scrutinty has ignored national duty 24/7.

For example Steve smith consistently plays fc cricket when he's not playing test which explains his run of form and why he can come back to form even if he loses it while Babar and kohli haven't played fc for ages and it reflects their form since they enter without any match practise. Then you have Babar consistently skipping out on list A as well.

Champions cup was a forced ploy by management to make him play and convince others that he's the best option

He'd completely ignored national duty 24/7. The only difference this time is that he has a valid excuse via umrah and therefore he can use that to silence people and get others on his side.

Typically British pakistani's who are by far the most religious ethnic group of Pakistani's in the world that'll jump at you if anything against religion is mentioned.

He has a valid excuse by playing the God and religion card. It is how it is.

As I said, I don't mind being the villian if it means calling it how it is based of proper empirical evidence

 

[mominsaigol]

This is in very bad taste bro. I did not know this and thought they were not playing for no reason. They are fully justified in skipping it in this case. Please don't insult religious beliefs.

It's not in bad taste. It's in horrible taste but I'm the only one who's gonna call it as it is.

The amount of time I've seen the religion card being used and the extremities that people will go to use it and cover up their tracks and far too many apprantly.

 

[jamie smith]

Who cares whether these 2 play or not.
Why is not Naseem being also criticised for playing??

 

[mominsaigol]

Here's the simple truth, and people are free to bash me for it.

Babar has a consistent record of ignoring national duty and using his personal fame, PR and brand to weasel into test and t20 cricket without any performances to show for.

This is a guy who can't even outperform hacks like usman khan in his own local league. Similarly he's a certified circus clown in fc, his international test career paints an even more horrid picture.

But he gets selected via brand and star power despite his form dwindling day by day.

He's used multiple excuses, however this time he has played the religion card.

Now whether he's doing Umrah genuinely out of being a good Muslim or via an excuse, I do not know, I am not one to excuse.

However he will ignore national duty again and again and eventually their won't be a valid reason to.

This time he has one, next time he won't like his previous iterations suggest.

 

[jamie smith]

Yeah, I refuse To believe something so less is acceptable to players. It is like $35 or close to 3000INR which for a professional player playing in national level is absolute peanuts

Players get better pay in gully mohalla cricket here in kashmir.

 

[jamie smith]

Here's the simple truth, and people are free to bash me for it.

Babar has a consistent record of ignoring national duty and using his personal fame, PR and brand to weasel into test and t20 cricket without any performances to show for.

This is a guy who can't even outperform hacks like usman khan in his own local league. Similarly he's a certified circus clown in fc, his international test career paints an even more horrid picture.

But he gets selected via brand and star power despite his form dwindling day by day.

He's used multiple excuses, however this time he has played the religion card.

Now whether he's doing Umrah genuinely out of being a good Muslim or via an excuse, I do not know, I am not one to excuse.

However he will ignore national duty again and again and eventually their won't be a valid reason to.

This time he has one, next time he won't like his previous iterations suggest.

He has been given rest.
He can do whatever he wants.

 

[Rana]

Not sure why these guys are not playing. Babar is performing Umrah atm and both he and rizwan have to travel to NZ for ODI series so maybe that is why they chose to rest instead.

His dad knew his two sons were off to Umrah, so what was that post on instagram about? As if his son will score 1k runs in the tournament and reclaim his spot in the national side?

 

[mominsaigol]

He has been given rest.
He can do whatever he wants.

He can do whatever he wants.

^^ You literally explained the problem and summed it up.

 

[mominsaigol]

His dad knew his two sons were off to Umrah, so what was that post on instagram about? As if his son will score 1k runs in the tournament and reclaim his spot in the national side?

Exactly this ^^, I forgot to mention this, but this is why I made my post.

Why would I outright judge someone for ignoring national duty for umrah if I didn't suspect something was up?

His dad doesn't have alzhiemers.

 

[jamie smith]

He can do whatever he wants.

^^ You literally explained the problem and summed it up.

What have I said wrong??
The selectors said babar won't be considered for t20Is so it's now his choice whether he wants to play in National T20 or not.
Although he will be back for psl.

 

[jamie smith]

Exactly this ^^, I forgot to mention this, but this is why I made my post.

Why would I outright judge someone for ignoring national duty for umrah if I didn't suspect something was up?

His dad doesn't have alzhiemers.

Only in a 3rd world country like Pakistan people care about posts made by a cricketer's siblings and parents lol .

Have u ever heard of a post made by pat Cummins's or Rohit Sharmas father???

 

[mominsaigol]

Only in a 3rd world country like Pakistan people care about posts made by a cricketer's siblings and parents lol .

Have u ever heard of a post made by pat Cummins's or Rohit Sharmas father???

Have u ever heard of a post made by pat Cummins's

No cause cummins father has never made a post about him besides the story he shared on the news about his sons aspiration to become a cricketer and his finger problem where he's missing his ring finger i believe.

Why would he ever make a post about his son whining about not being selected for national duty when his son is literally the greatest captain of this era and the overall face of Australian cricket?

As for rohit, No clue but yuvraj singles father is a comedian on social media lol.

 

[RizwanT20Champ]

It's not in bad taste. It's in horrible taste but I'm the only one who's gonna call it as it is.

The amount of time I've seen the religion card being used and the extremities that people will go to use it and cover up their tracks and far too many apprantly.

Whatever it is, let's respect religious sentiments here. Nothing wrong with being religious, it's not like they are missing a WC final for it.

 

[mominsaigol]

Whatever it is, let's respect religious sentiments here. Nothing wrong with being religious, it's not like they are missing a WC final for it.

I'm willing to respect it. Apologies if you or anyone else believes I've stepped out of line.

And I'll apologise to my fellow Muslims as well. I should not have made that statement but I do feel it was somewhat necessary.

The whole religion card thing has been played way too much.

 

[RizwanT20Champ]

I'm willing to respect it. Apologies if you or anyone else believes I've stepped out of line.

And I'll apologise to my fellow Muslims as well. I should not have made that statement but I do feel it was somewhat necessary.

The whole religion card thing has been played way too much.

I respect your apology, brother. We should not doubt their religious intentions - we are not in the position to judge. We can criticize them for their bad performances on the field.

 

[mominsaigol]

I respect your apology, brother. We should not doubt their religious intentions - we are not in the position to judge. We can criticize them for their bad performances on the field.

Actually, I'll apologise as a whole to you, and to @hafizexpress as well.

I'm no one to question religion and intent. I take back what I said.

 

[RizwanT20Champ]

Actually, I'll apologise as a whole to you, and to @hafizexpress as well.

I'm no one to question religion and intent. I take back what I said.

This is what I admire most about you brother. The remarkable alacrity to accept when you are wrong is uncommon particularly in the youth of today. You will go very far in life and you are by far the most knowledgeable poster on this forum. Don't apologise to me. Just give Devdal hell

 

[Rana]

Just give Devdal hell

Devdas wants to play with fire.

 

[hafizexpress]

Actually, I'll apologise as a whole to you, and to @hafizexpress as well.

I'm no one to question religion and intent. I take back what I said.

All good, there is no need to respond to your messages above then. I understand your frustrations however. I've become a huge critic of Babar and Rizwan being given a free ride in the team despite ignoring domestic cricket. Although I don't know how many times they've used religion as an excuse like you said, but yeah umrah right now is special and I don't think Babar has intended it as an excuse, as according to hadith, umrah in Ramadan is like umrah with the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ.

Respects to you for retracting.