Babar Azam's batting position for Pakistan in T20 World Cup 2026 revealed

Babar Azam's batting position for T20 World Cup 2026 revealed [Source: @CricCrazyJohns/x.com]

Pakistan announced their squad for the upcoming T20 World Cup 2026 in India and Sri Lanka. The Men in Green have decided to stick with Babar Azam in the team despite his poor performances in recent games. His batting position is still up for debate, and now, the team’s head coach, Mike Hesson, has opened up on where he could bat.

Hesson revealed that the management is not keen on Babar opening the innings because they want someone who can take complete advantage of the powerplay. 

Mike Hesson deliberates on Babar's batting position

He also added that the star batter has more to offer in other situations and that he can control the chase when the situation allows him.

"We don’t see him opening because the ability to take advantage of the powerplay is very important. However, Babar has a lot to offer in other areas. Also, if we are chasing a low score, he has the ability to control the chase," Hesson told the media.

Babar Azam last played in T20Is for Pakistan in the tri-series against Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe, where he batted at number three. He is likely to continue to bat at that position, with Sahibzada Farhan and Saim Ayub likely to continue opening the batting for them.

Babar Azam’s disastrous run in BBL 2025-26

Babar Azam was in the headlines recently for playing in Australia’s Big Bash League for the first time. However, the 31-year-old’s run in the league was a disaster, as his string of poor performances earned him a great deal of criticism.

In 11 outings for the Sydney Sixers, he scored just 202 runs at an average of 22.4, including two fifties to his name. What was more frustrating for the fans was his poor strike rate of just 103. As an opener, it is very important to play with an attacking mindset and take full advantage of the field restrictions in the powerplays.

To add to his worries, he hit just three sixes in his stint with the team, which is not what modern T20 cricket demands. Babar will want to forget what has happened in recent matches and come with a fresh outlook in the T20 World Cup.

Where will Babar Azam bat?

Given how his approach has been to control the innings, he will be best suited as a number three or number four batter for Pakistan in the upcoming event. He can stabilise the innings if the team loses successive wickets and take the game deep.

However, if the openers get an explosive start, the team might look to capitalise on that and send in someone who can carry forward that momentum. Salman Agha or Fakhar Zaman would be a better option than Babar in this situation.

Meanwhile, Babar will have to work a lot harder to prove that he is a deserving candidate for a spot in the T20 team. He will have to be a lot more consistent and also work on scoring at a quicker pace.