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Former Pakistan pacer Sikander Bakht has come heavily on star players Mohammad Rizwan and Babar Azam for skipping the National T20 Cup, organised by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB). Both stalwarts struggled with their bats in the Champions Trophy 2025 which led them to face a snub from Pakistan’s T20I team that is squaring off against New Zealand. Despite not getting selected, both decided to stay away from the domestic T20 tournament which got them fierce reactions from Bakht. Bakht, who is known for his staunch words, didn’t spare both batting icons and said Mohsin Naqvi should step up and take stiff action against the senior players.
Bakht also added that the central contracts of both players should be annulled as their non-participation in the domestic tournament indicates they don’t respect the apex cricketing body of the nation. "They are employees of the Pakistan Cricket Board. They get 60 lakh per month, so they must play in the tournaments the PCB is organising. The buck stops with PCB. They have to make sure that players are available. If you are playing club cricket and not playing the tournament the board has organised, it means you are insulting the PCB," Bakht said in a conversation with Super Geo.
This shouldn't happen. Mohsin Naqvi needs to be strict. He comes off as a polite person, but he needs to change his ways. You have to ask what is happening. Be strict. Stop their central contracts," added Bakht.
Rizwan will have to deliver effective results in upcoming ODI series against New Zealand
Mohammed Rizwan will have to do wonders with captaincy and batting in the upcoming three-match ODI series against New Zealand. The competition will be played from March 29 to April 5. Rizwan and Babar Azam will be expected to change their batting style after the miserable Champions Trophy 2025 campaign.
On one hand, Pakistan struggled to be among the victories in the Champions Trophy 2025 while on the other hand, the Black Caps played an aggressive brand of cricket and concluded their campaign in the ICC tournament as the runners-up.
