Former Pakistan captain Babar Azam will feature in the upcoming National T20 Cup after joining the Lahore Whites squad after his omission from Pakistan’s ODI squad for the upcoming Bangladesh series.

 

Lahore Whites added Babar to their lineup along with fast bowler Naseem Shah ahead of the competition. The two players were not part of the squad when organisers first announced the teams and tournament schedule.

 

The side will play under the captaincy of Aamir Jamal. Lahore Whites also strengthened their squad with the addition of Ahmed Daniyal and Mohammad Salman.

 

The National T20 Cup will run from March 7 to March 18 at the Imran Khan Cricket Stadium. A total of 18 regional teams will compete for the title in 23 matches during the tournament.

 

The venue previously hosted nine matches of the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy during October and November 2025.

 

Ten regional teams will take part in the competition. These include Abbottabad, Bahawalpur, Faisalabad, Peshawar, Karachi Whites, Karachi Blues, Lahore Blues, Lahore Whites, Multan and Sialkot.

 

Babar Azam’s participation in the domestic tournament comes shortly after he missed selection for Pakistan’s upcoming ODI series against Bangladesh national cricket team. 

 

The decision followed Pakistan’s disappointing campaign in the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026.

 

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) did not clarify whether Babar received a rest or faced a drop from the ODI squad. The move drew criticism from several former cricketers, who questioned the decision to leave him out of the ODI side after performances in a T20 tournament.