Abrar Ahmed and Usman Tariq Left Out of PCB Domestic Squads

The Pakistan Cricket Board has announced the squads for the upcoming National Champions Cup 2026, notably excluding spinners Abrar Ahmed and Usman Tariq. This development strongly indicates that both players will remain in England until the conclusion of The Hundred 2026 tournament, where they are currently representing Sunrisers Leeds and Birmingham Phoenix respectively.

Abrar Ahmed, who was signed by Sunrisers Leeds under controversial circumstances due to the India-Pakistan geopolitical tensions, has already made an impact in The Hundred. After a wicketless debut, he bounced back with figures of 2-33 against Southern Brave. Usman Tariq also impressed, taking key wickets of Finn Allen and Tim David for Birmingham Phoenix. However, Tariq's bowling action was recently questioned by the ICC, adding pressure to his stint.

Their absence from the National Champions Cup frees them from domestic duties, allowing them to focus on the English tournament. Abrar is already out of Pakistan's Test plans, while Tariq is yet to debut in the format. This move by the PCB effectively confirms that both players will see out The Hundred season before any potential return to Pakistan cricket.