Former Pakistan Captain Babar Azam Resumes Practice in Lahore

Babar Azam has resumed training in Lahore after returning from a short trip to the United States, which followed the recently concluded One-Day International (ODI) series against the West Indies.

On Friday, Babar began his batting practice at a well-known cricket institute in Lahore. During the session, he not only worked on his own batting drills but also spent time with young players, giving them tips and sharing his experience. According to sources close to the development, Babar is also expected to participate in a local tournament organized by the institute. This is being seen as part of his ongoing efforts to regain rhythm and form ahead of future international commitments.

The star batsman has been under scrutiny in recent weeks due to his poor form. In the ODI series against the West Indies, Babar managed only 56 runs across three matches, with his highest score being 47. For a player of his caliber, these numbers were far below expectations, raising concerns among fans and selectors.

Adding to his challenges, Babar was not included in Pakistan’s T20 squad for the upcoming Asia Cup. In addition, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) recently announced its new central contracts for the 2025–26 season, where Babar’s contract was downgraded from Category A to Category B.

Interestingly, this year the PCB has not placed any player in Category A, which traditionally included the team’s top performers. Instead, the contracts have been distributed equally, with ten players each in Categories B, C, and D.

The board has also expanded the pool of centrally contracted players from 27 to 30 cricketers, introducing 12 new names. Among the fresh entries are Ahmed Daniyal, Faheem Ashraf, Hasan Ali, Hasan Nawaz, Hussain Talat, Khushdil Shah, Mohammad Abbas, Mohammad Haris, Mohammad Nawaz, Sahibzada Farhan, Salman Mirza, and Sufyan Moqim.

Several players have also been promoted due to their consistent recent performances. Abrar Ahmed, Haris Rauf, Saim Ayub, Salman Ali Agha, and Shadab Khan have all been moved up from Category C to Category B.

At the same time, nine players have retained their current categories. Notable among them are Abdullah Shafique, who remains in Category C, and Khurram Shahzad, Mohammad Abbas Afridi, and Mohammad Wasim Jr., who continue in Category D.

The newly announced contracts will remain valid from July 1, 2025, until June 30, 2026. This one-year contract structure is expected to provide players with stability while also allowing the PCB to assess performances on an annual basis.

For Babar Azam, however, this phase represents both a challenge and an opportunity. While his omission from the Asia Cup squad and the downgrade in contract have raised questions about his future role, his return to training and possible participation in domestic competitions show his determination to make a strong comeback for Pakistan.

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