Babar Azam, T20 World Cup 2026: Pakistan has reached the Super-8 in the T20 World Cup, but the team’s star batsman Babar Azam is struggling with poor form and slow batting. Even in the important match against India, Babar was out after scoring only 05 runs. Now in the midst of the tournament, former Pakistan fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar and former captain Mohammad Hafeez gave Babar a lesson.
Many veterans believe that T20 format is not for Babar Azam. He does not have the aggression and pace required in terms of the format. Akhtar said that if Babar Azam was to be played, it should have been ensured that he bats in the first 6 overs. There is no point in Babar playing in the middle order.
What did Shoaib Akhtar say on Babar?
While talking in a TV show, Shoaib Akhtar said that first of all Babar should have decided himself that this format is not for him. If you wanted Babar to play, you had to ensure that he bats in the powerplay. This is a simple thing. There is no rocket science in this.”
Mohammad Hafeez also took class
Pakistan coach Mike Hesson’s reasoning behind playing Babar at number 4 was his low strike rate. Mohammad Hafeez seemed to completely disagree with this statement. Hafeez believes that Babar Azam is not a number 4 batsman. Babar should either open or play at number three.
Apart from this, Hafeez said that I have not been able to understand the statement given by coach Mike Hesson on Babar. Babar can neither take advantage of the powerplay nor play big shots after 10 overs. I listened to it 15 times. If so, then why is Babar playing in the team?
Babar Azam’s performance so far in T20 World Cup
It is noteworthy that Babar has so far scored only 66 runs in three innings of the 2026 T20 World Cup at an average of 22 and a strike rate of 115.78. Now it will be interesting to see how Babar performs in Super-8.
