Pakistan, June 16 -- LAHORE - Pakistan's high-performance director Aqib Javed has clarified that former captain Babar Azam is not permanently excluded from the national T20 squad. He emphasized that team selection will continue to be based purely on performance and merit.

Speaking at a press conference at Gaddafi Stadium, Aqib addressed growing speculation about Babar's future in T20 internationals. "Whether it's Babar or any other player, the door is always open. If they perform well, they will be selected," he assured.

He further added that players are often the best judges of which formats suit them best. "There are many challenges ahead, and players must be ready to face them. Form and fitness are key to making a comeback," Aqib sai...