Babar Azam Leaves Skills Development Camp After Just Two Days

Pakistan Cricket Board’s Skills Development Camp is going ahead full steam, but it appears it will proceed without former captain Babar Azam.

According to reports in the local media, Babar Azam left the ongoing Skills Development Camp at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Lahore after just two days of training. But fear not, as sources claim that the former Pakistan captain informed the PCB and camp management of his prior commitments abroad and left after properly notifying them.

Babar was among the first batch of players selected for this special camp, which the PCB is running to help national cricketers work on developing specific skills during the international break. His presence was seen as important, both for his own preparation and as a senior figure among younger players as he battles to regain his place in all three formats.

However, his early exit from the camp and PCB’s willingness to let him go may suggest a lengthy period on the sidelines, especially with no ODI and Test cricket for Pakistan in the offing.

The first phase of PCB’s Skills Development Camp will run until June 21. After the conclusion of the first phase, 16 players for the second phase will arrive on June 22 and undergo training sessions from June 23 to 28 before the third and final batch, consisting of 16 players, trains from June 30 to July 5.

PCB is then expected to name the squad for the T20I series against Bangladesh and the West Indies.

For now, Babar Azam’s departure suggests that he is not currently in PCB’s plans for T20Is, at least. He will get a fair shot at selection for the ODIs and Tests, but he may have to earn the trust of his new coach sooner rather than later and being part of the complete training camps will go a long way in helping his case.