Babar Azam Takes Sly Dig At Mike Hesson-Led Pakistan Personnel For T20 World Cup Woes

Babar Azam and Mike Hesson [Source: PCB and AFP]

Babar Azam seems to be making the most of his newfound proficiency with the bat in T20 cricket. After undergoing a dismal T20 World Cup 2026 campaign for the Pakistan team in Sri Lanka a couple of months ago, the legendary Pakistan batter has emerged as the highest run maker of the ongoing PSL 2026 season in the country.

Leading the Peshawar Zalmi franchise, the cricketer will now be seen leading his troops in the final against the Hyderabad Kingsmen. Prior to the big day, the 31-year-old took a sly dig at the Pakistan team management for apparently ‘misusing’ him at the 2026 T20 World Cup.

Babar Azam blames Pakistan team management for World Cup failure

While speaking on the Zalmi podcast, Babar Azam indirectly blamed the Pakistan team management for his underwhelming 2026 T20 World Cup campaign in Sri Lanka earlier this year. Forced to bat at number four, the cricketer stated that he hardly batted at that position before, and it was unfair on him for others to expect instant results.

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He said “I had never played at number 4 before. Playing at number 4 was a new thing for me. A player obviously needs some time to adopt a new position. People expect results within hours but everything needs time.”

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Babar Azam said, "I had never played at number 4 before. Playing at number 4 was a new thing for me. A player obviously needs some time to adopt a new position. People expect results within hours but everything needs time." [Zalmi Podcast]

May 2, 2026, 5:55 PM

Compatible to Babar Azam’s claims, Pakistan head coach Mike Hesson did mention that the legendary Pakistani batter will not be batting at his usual opening or number three position at the 2026 T20 World Cup in Sri Lanka.

Babar Azam’s performance in T20 World Cup 2026

Babar Azam played just five matches for the Pakistan team at the 2026 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup. The four times he batted in the tournament, the legendary Pakistan batter was forced to play at number four on each occasion.

In four innings, the cricketer managed to mint just 91 runs at a dismal average of 22.75 and with an underwhelming strike rate of 112.34. The Pakistan team ended up failing to make it to the semifinal of the competition.

Peshawar Zalmi reaches PSL 2026 final

Under the leadership of the former Pakistan captain, the Peshawar Zalmi franchise has made it to the final of the PSL 2026 season. The team will be taking on the Hyderabad Kingsmen for the title clash on Sunday, May 3.

The match will be hosted by the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore and the action will commence from 8:30 PM IST onwards.

Babar himself has led his team from the front, having mounted 588 runs so far in just 10 innings at a prolific average of 84. The legendary right-hander is also striking at 146.26 in the competition, and has plundered two hundreds and three half-centuries in the process.

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