![Babar Azam injury update issued by PCB official [Source: AFP]](https://onecricketnews.akamaized.net/parth-editor/oc-dashboard/news-images-prod/1773480498712_babarazaminjurypsl2026.jpg?type=hq)
Babar Azam injury update issued by PCB official [Source: AFP]
In a significant development, Aaqib Javed, the Director of High Performance of the PCB, issued the Babar Azam injury update days before PSL 2026.
Babar couldn't live up to the expectations in the T20 World Cup 2026, where Pakistan suffered an embarrassing Super 8 elimination.
After the Salman Ali Agha-led team failed to qualify for the semifinal, the PCB selection committee made some bold selection calls, excluding Shadab Khan, Saim Ayub and Babar from the Pakistan ODI squad Vs Bangladesh.
However, as the Pakistani players gear up for the PSL 2026, Aaqib Javed has issued a shocking update on the Babar Azam injury.
Babar Azam's ODI exclusion raised eyebrows
Recently, the PCB selection committee announced the Pakistan squad for the highly anticipated series against Bangladesh.
Considering the Men in Green failed to enter the semifinal of the T20 World Cup 2026, the Pakistani board made significant changes, replacing the non-performing players with young cricketers.
Also read: Mohammad Amir Takes Babar Azam U-Turn; Describes Pakistan As Associate Level Team
Babar Azam was one of the high-profile names to miss out on selection. Given his stature, Babar's ODI snub raised a million eyebrows, as his fans accused the PCB of unfair treatment, as the batter had a century to his name in his previous series.
Aaqib Javed reveals real reason behind Babar Azam's ODI snub
It was earlier reported that Babar lost his place in Pakistan's ODI squad for his underwhelming returns in the T20 World Cup.
Overall, the Lahore-born batter managed only 91 runs across four outings at a mediocre average of 22.75 and a strike rate of 112.35.
While his torrid run in the tournament was assumed to be the primary reason behind his ODI snub, former fast bowler and the Director of High Performance of the PCB, Aaqib Javed, dismissed those reports.
Speaking to the media, Aaqib Javed stated that Babar Azam is injured and hence wasn't included in the ODI squad for the Bangladesh series.
He revealed that the Babar Azam injury was diagnosed after he returned to Pakistan after participating in the T20 World Cup in Sri Lanka.
Thus, as Javed put it, the Babar Azam injury was the actual reason that prompted the selectors to drop him for the ODI series against the Tigers.
He also disclosed that although Babar was keen to play the National T20 Cup, he had to pull out of the tournament due to the injury.
"Kuch players aise hain jinko iss series ke liye nahi include kiya gaya. Babar Azam ke injury ko leke.. Abhi jab woh wahan se wapas aaye, ussko dekha doctors ne humare yahan. Usski jo injury hai woh ussko allow nahi kar rahi ke woh iss series me khelta. National T20 tournament woh chah raha tha ke khele, lekin woh injured hai."
Babar Azam preparing for PSL 2026
As things stand, Babar has taken a break from cricket due to the aforementioned injury setback. A report from Pakistan's leading media agency Geo News has revealed that the batter is preparing for the upcoming PSL 2026 season.
For the unversed, Babar has been appointed as the captain of Peshawar Zalmi for the PSL 2026. The Zalmi will begin their campaign against Rawalpindi Pindiz on March 28 at the Arbab Niaz Stadium.
Also read: Basit Ali Tears Into Salman Agha For 'Zero Awareness' After Controversial Run-Out
