Babar Azam Salman Agha For Pakistan in T20 World Cup 2026. Image Credits: AFP
Former Pakistani captain and batter, Babar Azam, has been through a struggling run of form in the ongoing T20 World Cup 2026. Besides that, he is on the receiving end of harsh scrutiny from the former Pakistan cricketers for his sluggish approach and poor strike rate in the shortest format of the game.
The current head coach of the Pakistan cricket team, Mike Hesson, also came up with a bold statement about Babar Azam’s batting position. Hesson’s words have triggered some of the ex-Pakistan cricketers who have been constantly talking about Babar’s poor run of form.
Mohammad Hafeez questions Mike Hesson's decision-making
Babar Azam’s teammate and former Pakistan cricketer, Mohammad Hafeez, has also targeted Hesson for ‘lack of clarity’ on the senior batter’s position in the lineup.
“I think he's well aware that his strike rate in the powerplay in (T20) World Cups is less than 100. So clearly, that's not a role that we think here we need. We think he's a fine player through the middle, if required, in terms of if we're in a little bit of trouble,” said Mike Hesson during a pre-match conference before the ‘abandoned’ Super-8 game against New Zealand.
“Or as we saw against the USA, once he gets himself set, he can increase his strike rate at that point. So, we brought Babar back in for a specific role post the Asia Cup. We wanted some batsmanship through the middle, and he certainly brings that for us,” he added later.
"I didn't understand" - Mohammed Hafeez on Mike Hesson's statement
Hesson’s remarks about Babar Azam’s strike rate and batting position left Mohammad Hafeez confused, which he expressed in the PTV Sports’ show Game On Hai.
“He (Hesson) made a statement on Babar Azam that I didn't understand. He said neither he's a powerplay batter because his strike rate is 100. I read this statement 15 times, but I didn't understand, which is why I am asking you, because you are like an elder brother, maybe you'll understand,” said Hafeez, putting a question mark on the head coach’s mindset and tactical clarity.
“He said that Babar can't bat in the first six overs because his strike rate is quite low; he gave that stat, and he couldn't bat after the 10th over. Then, why is he playing?” he added later.
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Babar Azam's poor T20I form leaves Pakistan management under scanner
Speaking of Babar’s horrific run of form with the bat in the ongoing T20 World Cup 2026, he has aggregated just 66 runs in three innings at an average of 22.00 and a below-par strike rate of just 115.78. Notably, he has also been dropped from Pakistan’s T20I squad on most occasions since the T20 World Cup 2024.
Since the conclusion of the previous World T20 in 2024, Babar has played 21 T20Is, scoring just 426 runs in 19 innings at an average of 26.62 and a strike rate of 120, hitting three half-centuries.
Babar’s sluggish numbers in the fast-paced format of the game have also left the former cricketers and experts with a lot of questions about the Pakistan team management’s approach in terms of strategy and team selection for the marquee international tournaments.
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