Lahore, June 10, 2025 — In a press conference held at Gaddafi Stadium, Pakistan’s High-Performance Director Aqib Javed addressed recent speculation surrounding former captain Babar Azam’s absence from the T20 squad and laid out an ambitious development roadmap for Pakistan cricket.
“No One Is Permanently Out”—Aqib on Babar’s Future
Contrary to swirling media reports, Babar Azam has not been ruled out of Pakistan’s T20 setup, according to Aqib.
“Whether it’s Babar or any other player, the game is open to everyone. If Babar or anyone else performs well, they will earn their place,”
— Aqib Javed, High-Performance Director
His remarks reaffirm the performance-based selection policy under the current management. Aqib also hinted that players themselves are expected to understand and choose formats that best align with their skillsets.
This comes amid Pakistan’s broader efforts to reshape its T20 strategy following an underwhelming period in white-ball cricket.
Test Cricket: Pakistan’s Bright Spot
Aqib struck a confident tone regarding Pakistan’s prospects in the ICC World Test Championship (WTC), expressing hope that the team is on a positive trajectory.
“If the process continues, Pakistan has very good prospects in this Test championship cycle. We will see Pakistan in a strong position.”
This optimism coincides with plans to conduct red-ball and white-ball training camps in July, aimed at prepping the squad for the upcoming home Test series against South Africa and future limited-overs series.
Domestic Overhaul: Structure and Science in Focus
Aqib unveiled a series of structural reforms aimed at elevating cricket performance from grassroots to elite levels:
1. Biomechanics Lab at NCA
A state-of-the-art biomechanics lab is being established at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) to enhance player rehabilitation, injury prevention, and performance analytics.
2. Age-Group Development Hubs
Regional centers are being designated for age-specific training:
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Sialkot – Under-13
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Faisalabad – Under-17
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Multan – Under-19
This model aims to create a specialized and focused environment for nurturing young cricketers with long-term potential.
3. Women’s High-Performance Centre
In a significant step forward for women’s cricket in Pakistan, a dedicated Women’s High-Performance Centre will be established at the Karachi academy, signaling a push for gender parity in elite training resources.
Strategic Shift Underway
The developments come as Pakistan attempts to modernize its cricketing ecosystem, transitioning from ad hoc decision-making to process-driven, data-informed management. With white-ball struggles prompting criticism, these moves are seen as an effort to restore national confidence and build a sustainable pipeline of talent.
While Babar Azam’s role in future T20 plans remains open, it’s clear that the new performance framework prioritizes current form over past reputation.
What’s Next?
Pakistan’s July training camps will serve as a critical barometer for:
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Reintegrating out-of-form players
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Testing domestic performers under high-intensity conditions
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Preparing strategically for the WTC and the next T20 cycle
As the Test series against South Africa looms, the spotlight will be on how effectively this high-performance overhaul translates to on-field results.
