Babar Azam Leaves Skills Development Camp After Just Two Days

( Sports Correspondent:  Imran Sohail )

Babar Azam Exits PCB Skills Camp Early Due to Prior Commitments

The Pakistan Cricket Board’s ongoing Skills Development Camp at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Lahore is in full swing, but one notable name has made an early exit—former captain Babar Azam.

Early Departure with Prior Notice

According to local media reports, Babar Azam left the training camp just two days after joining. However, sources close to the matter confirm that he had informed the PCB and camp management in advance about his international commitments abroad and was granted permission to leave.

Babar was part of the first group of national players selected for the high-performance camp, which aims to fine-tune players’ technical and tactical skills during the current break from international cricket.

His presence was seen as important—not only for his personal preparation but also as a mentor to the younger players hoping to break into the national setup.

What It Means for His Future

While Babar’s early departure appears to be pre-approved, it has raised questions about his current standing within Pakistan’s T20I plans. With no immediate Test or ODI series on the horizon, and his absence from the rest of the camp, some believe he may be on the sidelines for a while—at least in the shortest format.

The Skills Camp is structured in three phases:

• Phase 1: Ongoing until June 21

• Phase 2: From June 23 to 28

• Phase 3: From June 30 to July 5

A new batch of 16 players will report for each phase, with the camp focusing on fitness, fielding, and specialized skill-building under the guidance of the coaching staff.

Looking Ahead

Following the conclusion of the camp, the PCB is expected to announce squads for the upcoming T20I series against Bangladesh and the West Indies. Whether Babar Azam is part of those plans remains to be seen.

While he may still have a role to play in ODIs and Tests, his path back to a leading role in the national T20 setup may require a stronger show of commitment and form. Being part of these focused training sessions could have helped him make a stronger case for inclusion.