![Babar Azam to play for Lahore Whites. [Source - AFP]](https://onecricketnews.akamaized.net/parth-editor/oc-dashboard/news-images-prod/1772778115865_BabarAzamtoplayforLahoreWhites.jpg?type=hq)
Babar Azam to play for Lahore Whites. [Source - AFP]
Pakistan’s early exit from the T20 World Cup 2026 has triggered sweeping changes within the Pakistan limited-overs setup. Among the biggest talking points is the omission of Babar Azam from the ODI squad for the upcoming tour of Bangladesh.
Babar Azam had a largely forgettable T20 World Cup, struggling to make the kind of impact expected from a player of his stature. As Pakistan now prepares for the ODI series against Bangladesh away from home , selectors appear keen to reshape the white-ball unit and test young faces.
With the national side moving forward with a revamped approach, Babar Azam will turn his attention to domestic cricket, where he has been added to a new squad under a brand new captain. The phase could offer the star batter an opportunity to rediscover form and stake a strong claim for a return to Pakistan plans.
Babar Azam Set for National T20 Cup Return with Lahore Whites
Following his omission from Pakistan’s ODI squad for the Bangladesh tour, Babar Azam will turn his focus to domestic cricket after being named in the Lahore Whites squad for the upcoming National T20 Cup. The tournament will be played from March 7 to 18 at the Imran Khan Cricket Stadium in Peshawar.
Babar, who was not part of the initially announced squads, has now been added to the Lahore Whites lineup and will play under the captaincy of Aamir Jamal. The team has also strengthened its squad with the additions of Ahmed Daniyal and Mohammad Salman ahead of the domestic competition.
Pace bowler Naseem Shah has also been drafted into the Lahore Whites squad alongside Babar. In the National T20 Cup, Lahore Whites are placed in Group A with Peshawar, Faisalabad, Karachi Whites, and Bahawalpur as teams compete across two groups in the tournament.
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Babar Azam’s record in National T20 Cup
Babar Azam has long been a household name in T20 cricket, and his record in the National T20 Cup reflects his consistency. The star batter has scored 1,588 runs at an average of 54.75 and a strike rate of 132.77, including two centuries and twelve half-centuries in the National T20 Cup.
Despite that remarkable record, Babar has featured rarely in recent editions, playing only one match in 2025. Mostly associated with Lahore and Central Punjab teams, he has played just once for Lahore Whites. His return this season offers valuable match time ahead of the PSL 2026.
National T20 Cup 2026: Format, Teams and Schedule Overview
The National T20 Cup 2026 will feature ten regional teams competing across 23 matches in Peshawar, a venue that also hosted several Quaid-e-Azam Trophy games in late 2025.
The participating sides include Abbottabad, Bahawalpur, Faisalabad, Peshawar, Karachi Whites, Karachi Blues, Lahore Blues, Lahore Whites, Multan and Sialkot.
The teams are divided into two groups. Group A features Lahore Whites, Peshawar, Faisalabad, Karachi Whites and Bahawalpur, while Group B includes defending champions Lahore Blues along with Sialkot, Multan, Abbottabad and Karachi Blues. The top two teams from each group will qualify for the semi-finals of the competition.
The group stage will run from March 7 to March 16 with two matches scheduled each day. The first game will start at 4:45 PM IST, followed by the second match at 9:45 PM IST.
The final will begin at 8:45 PM IST with the toss at 8:00 PM. Babar Azam’s Lahore Whites will open their campaign against Peshawar on the opening day of the tournament.
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