Shaheen Afridi (C) and Babar Azam (R) (Source: X)
Former Pakistan skipper Babar Azam faced a strike-rate criticism from his teammate Shaheen Afridi after the team's two-wicket loss against England in the Super-8 game of the T20 World Cup 2026.
Notably, Babar Azam failed once again, scoring 25 runs off 24 balls, with a ‘below average’ strike rate of 104.16, hitting only two fours. He came to bat for his side early in the powerplay, when they had lost two wickets for just 27 runs in 3.3 overs.
“Need someone who can hit boundaries” - Shaheen Afridi questions Babar Azam’s ability
After his brilliant bowling performance (4/30 in four overs) went in vain, Shaheen Afridi was asked about the fall of wickets after Babar Azam’s dismissal in the 11th over. Shaheen didn’t hesitate in coming up with a bit of criticism masquerading as an analysis of Babar’s approach in the game against England.
“A partnership means you need someone at the crease who can hit boundaries and also rotate the strike with singles and doubles,” said Shaheen Afridi during the post-match press conference, questioning Babar’s batting intent against England in the must-win Super-8 game.
Also Read- Salman Ali Agha Wife Dragged! Pakistan Fans Cross The Limit After England Defeat
“In T20 cricket, you need to maintain around eight runs per over throughout the innings. But I think Adil [Rashid] bhai bowled very well,” Shaheen Afridi added later.
Batting misery continues for Babar Azam in T20Is
Babar Azam has been enduring a miserable run of form with the bat in the shortest format of the game since the T20 World Cup 2024. In the last two-year cycle, he has also been dropped from Pakistan’s T20I mix on several occasions.
Meanwhile, the selectors have also been under the scanner for bringing Babar back in the T20I squad without any satisfying comeback credentials.
Speaking of Babar’s batting performance in T20Is since the T20 World Cup 2024, he has played 22 matches, scoring 451 runs in 20 innings at a ‘below par’ average of just 26.52 and a strike rate of just 118.99, with three fifties.
During this span, he has struggled a lot against the spinners. In 20 innings, he has scored 215 runs off 210 balls against the spinners, with a poor strike rate of just 102.40, with eight dismissals, including the dot ball percentage of 33.8.
His performance against the pacers has also been under the scanner, as the 31-year-old has scored 236 runs off 169 balls, with a strike rate of 139.60, including nine dismissals.
Team management under pressure after defeat against England
Amidst Babar Azam’s poor outings in the ongoing T20 World Cup 2026, the Pakistan team management has been under pressure to drop him from the playing XI.
Many former cricketers, experts, and the fans have been asking the team management to drop Babar from the playing XI and have Khawaja Nafay or Fakhar Zaman in the middle order.
Now, it will be interesting to see what Pakistan management decides about 31-year-old’s place in the XI for their last Super-8 game against Sri Lanka on Saturday, February 28. The game will be played at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium.
Also Read- Paras Dogra Headbutts Karnataka Player, Massive Fight Erupts In Ranji Trophy Final
