Team Rift in Pakistan? Muhammad Amir and Babar Azam miss the first day of the Pakistan Fitness Camp.

Babar Azam, the legendary batsman and former captain of Pakistan, was absent from the team's first day of training at the Kakul Academy in Abbottabad.

The 29 players for the two-week training camp were revealed earlier this week by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), which includes reverse-retirees Mohammad Amir and Imad Wasim. 

As it happened, Amir joined regular Pakistan internationals Iftikhar Ahmed and Naseem Shah as another noticeable absence from the camp.

Day 2 of the Pakistan fitness camp will see Babar Azam arrive.

On March 26, a total of 25 players participated in the fitness camp's first session, during which they underwent examinations by the Pakistani medical team.

Senior players Babar Azam, Iftikhar Ahmed, and promising fast bowler Naseem Shah are expected to return from Saudi Arabia the next day, on March 27, and join the training.

Although the seasoned speedster came at the academy later on the first day, Mohammad Amir will also be camping with the three of them.

Improving player fitness in anticipation of a demanding T20 season is one of the main goals of the training camp.

The Pakistan cricket team will play New Zealand in a five-match Twenty20 International series in Rawalpindi and Lahore around a week after the two-week camp ends on April 8.

The T20 World Cup 2024 in the West Indies and the USA is being held this year, and the series acts as a warm-up and training ground for the Pakistani team.