Babar Azam's T20 World Cup spot in danger? Pakistan take bold decision in AUS T20I

Babar Azam was demoted to middle order in PAK vs AUS 1st T20I [Source: AFP]

In a surprising turn of events, veteran cricketer Babar Azam batted in the middle-order in the first T20I between Pakistan and Australia at Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore. Led by Agha Salman, Pakistan won the toss and elected to bat first in order to capitalise on the playing conditions in Lahore. However, despite Sahibzada Farhan getting dismissed on the very first delivery of the match, Pakistan decided not to send Babar Azam, promoting captain Salman Ali Agha as the number three batter instead. 

The decision by the Pakistani team management sparked debates, considering Babar Azam has played as a middle-order batter only twice in a career spanning 129 matches. 

Why did Salman Ali Agha bat ahead of Babar Azam in PAK vs AUS 1st T20I?

It's worth mentioning that Salman Ali Agha was one of the integral members of the Pakistani middle order during the Asia Cup. However, the experienced campaigner had a torrid run with the bat, managing only 72 runs at an average of 12 and a modest strike rate of 80.90. 

His performance earned Salman massive backlash, as the Pakistani skipper eventually opted to promote himself up the order during the Sri Lanka home series, which Babar Azam missed due to BBL 2025-26 commitments. 

Salman Agha's decision to bat at three helped him regain his mojo in T20Is, as he clobbered 61 runs at a blistering strike rate of 265.22 in the Sri Lanka series. Such a dramatic shift in his scoring rate assured Pakistan that they can utilise him to capitalise on the field restrictions and up the ante in the powerplay. 

(Babar and Salman at number 3 in T20Is)

As evidenced by the above stats, Salman Ali Agha has been significantly more aggressive as Pakistan's number three batter than Babar Azam. So, when Sahibzada Farhan departed for a duck, Pakistan chose to promote their captain and take advantage of the field restrictions. 

Is Pakistan team management planning to sideline Babar Azam from T20 World Cup XI?

Given that Babar Azam has repeatedly struggled to score quick runs in T20Is, many would imply that Pakistan could make him sit out of their playing XI if Salman Ali Agha consistently proves his mettle at number three. 

However, according to head coach Mike Hesson, Babar Azam is an integral member of the Pakistani contingent and will be assigned an important role in the T20 World Cup, starting February 7. 

Recently, Mike Hesson spoke about Babar Azam's role in the team, emphasising that Pakistan plans to use him as the crisis man during the World Cup. Also, given that the Men in Green don't have many reliable batting options in their squad, Babar Azam is expected to be given a consistent run in the playing XI until the conclusion of the T20 World Cup. 

Conclusion

Therefore, despite being demoted to number four, Babar Azam will likely retain his spot as a floater in Pakistan's playing XI. The decision to promote Salman Ali Agha to number three is aimed at ensuring a formidable start in the powerplay, with Babar's inclusion adding further depth to the Pakistani middle order.

Pakistan have clean-hitters like Fakhar Zaman, Shadab Khan and Mohammad Nawaz, who can bat around Babar and maximise the impact in the middle and slog overs.