![Iftikhar Ahmed and Mohsin Naqvi in frame [Source: X]](https://onecricketnews.akamaized.net/parth-editor/oc-dashboard/news-images-prod/1772892090199_IftikharAhmedandMohsinNaqviinframe.jpg?type=hq)
Iftikhar Ahmed and Mohsin Naqvi in frame [Source: X]
Pakistan cricketer Iftikhar Ahmed, who has fallen out of favour with the Pakistan Cricket Board following his string of disappointing performances in every format of the game have again fallen flat during the National T20 Cup 2026 opener.
Playing for the Peshawar Region as their skipper, Iftikhar Ahmed bagged only 9 runs from 9 deliveries before getting dismissed by Aamir Jamal. Notably, Peshawar came into bat first after winning the toss as Yasir Khan top scored with his 65 runs at the Imran Khan Cricket Stadium.
Iftikhar Ahmed Woe Deepens With No Point For Pakistan Return
The last international cricket match Ahmed played for his team was the India vs Pakistan clash in New York on June 9, 2024. The 35-year-old has since slipped out of the T20I and ODI plans of the Men in Green, with a significant dip in his performances.
In T20Is, Iftikhar's average dropped to 15.33 in 2024 from a solid 40 in 2023. His strike rate also saw a massive dip, which might have led the PCB to look away from the off-spinner all-rounder.
Taking the bat again after a disappointing Bangladesh Premier League tournament, Ahmed managed to score only 9 runs as he came in at number five to steady the innings for the Peshawar region when the team was struggling at 124 for 3 at the end of 13.4 overs.
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However, Aamir Jamal's smart bowling did not let him stay at the crease for long. Notably, Iftikhar became Jamal's third scalp as he bowled a short-of-a-length slower delivery outside the off stump.
Iftikhar Ahmed attempted to pull the ball over deep mid-wicket but mistimed it with almost no connection, as the fielder at the boundary comfortably palmed the ball, ending his innings.
The Peshawar batter, therefore, had to walk back as Waqar Ahmed and Nabi Gul carried on, helping the team post a total of 167 on the board.
Mohammad Nawaz Disappoints With The Bat
Mohammad Nawaz, who came fresh from his T20 World Cup 2026 campaign, disappointed with the bat. Nawaz scored just three runs off eight deliveries before getting bowled by Ubaid Shah. Nawaz came in after Walker Ahmed's dismissal in the 16th over, hoping to stabilise the middle order.
Nawaz started defensively, and on the fourth ball of the 18th over, his stumps were rattled by Ubaid. A back-of-a-length delivery on the line of the stumps saw the left-hander move his front leg across as he tried to loft it towards the sky. However, he misread the ball as it shattered the stumps.
Notably, Nawaz also struggled with the bat in the T20 World Cup 2026, where he scored only 15 runs from five outings. With the ball, though, he managed seven wickets from six innings at an economy rate of 7.80 while striking at 17.00.
National T20 Cup Features International Stars After T20 World Cup Exit
The National T20 Cup saw many international stars, including Mohammad Nawaz and Iftikhar Ahmed, present, with only Babar Azam being the exception.
The early exit of the Men in Green from the prestigious ICC tournament has led international stars like Naseem Shah, Azam Khan, Saim Ayub, and Usama Mir to feature in the competition after Pakistan sadly lost the net run-rate battle to New Zealand.
The team managed a superb run to reach the Super 8 stage with dominant performances in the group-stage fixtures.
However, their initial abandoned match against New Zealand and a loss against England led to their knockout from the tournament. Now, the final of the T20 World Cup 2026 is set to be played on March 8 between India and New Zealand.
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