Watch- Babar Azam Assigned Role To Dismiss Abhishek Sharma In T20 World Cup

Mike Hesson assigns new role for Babar Azam [Source: X]

Babar Azam cannot play as an opener in the Pakistan T20I team; he certainly cannot don the role of a middle-order batter, and hence, in order to keep him in the playing XI, the management has come up with a new role for the former skipper. Pakistan head coach, Mike Hesson is a mastermind, and he has a plan ready for Babar.

The Men in Green had their Super 8 fixture against New Zealand washed out, and their next match will be against England. Ahead of the game, a video has gone viral where the Pakistan fans got a glimpse of Babar’s new role in the T20I team.

In the nets, the former skipper could be seen rolling his arms as he bowled off-break deliveries to fellow teammate, Saim Ayub. In the video, Babar was padded up, as if he had just finished his batting session, and the player was designed to test Saim Ayub with off-break deliveries.

Pakistan devise plan to pile misery on Abhishek Sharma and India

There is also a theory that going forward, the Pakistan batter could be used in the tournament as a bowler, and more specifically, he could be used against the Indian batters, if the two teams meet again in the T20 World Cup.

SheR•ALI

@Sher__Ali

🚨 Babar Azam The Plan B of Mike Hesson :-❗ - Babar Azam has also started bowling off-spin to maintain his place in the team - After Making 91 Centuries in nets, he has Taken his first Fifer in the Nets❗

Feb 23, 2026, 3:44 PM

In the group stage match between the two nations, Pakistan played a masterstroke as captain Salman Agha brought himself against Abhishek Sharma in the first over of the match. The plan worked to perfection as the skipper gave India an early jolt to dismiss Abhishek for a duck.

In case the two teams meet again (if they both qualify for the semis or the finals), Pakistan has devised a new plan, this time to introduce Babar in front of the Indian openers. The Indian batters have no experience of playing against him (as a bowler), and against India, he could be the one to dismiss Abhishek.

Also Read: Babar Azam’s Pakistan Teammate Asks Why Is He Playing The T20 World Cup

Pakistan struggling to fit Babar in playing XI

For some reason, Pakistan included Babar in their T20 World Cup squad, and he was demoted to bat at the number 4 spot. Before the World Cup, he was Pakistan’s permanent number 3 batter, but Salman Agha demoted him, and the result was in front of everyone.

In five T20 World Cup games, Babar has only racked up 66 runs, with an average of 22 and a strike rate of 115.79. Interestingly, against Namibia, Pakistan's management humiliated the batter by not giving him a single ball to play as others were promoted over him.

Head coach Mike Hesson also blamed Babar for his slow strike-rate, and as a result, the team has found a new role for him (spin-bowler), to keep him in the playing XI.

Last dance for Babar in T20 World Cup

Over the last few T20 World Cup campaigns, Babar has looked out of touch, and the opposition bowlers have choked his scoring areas as his strike rate has come under scrutiny.

Even in the ongoing World Cup, Babar has not worked on his strike rate, and even if Pakistan wins the T20 World Cup, this could potentially be his last event for his nation in T20Is, as the former captain doesn’t fit in the scheme of things for the Men in Green.

Also Read: Pallekele Stadium Pitch Report, Weather Report For PAK Vs ENG- Super 8, T20 World Cup 2026