Babar Azam single - (Source: X.com)
On Tuesday, February 10, Pakistan locked horns against the USA in match 12 of the T20 World Cup 2026. The two teams met in Colombo, and the fans turned up in thousands to watch Babar Azam bat. However, the star Pakistani batter again hogged the headlines for his slow batting.
Notably, the USA won the toss and opted to field first. Pakistan got off to a brilliant start but lost two quick wickets in a single over. Babar came to bat when the Men in Green were reduced to 56/2. The pressure was on Babar to score quickly, but the right-handed batter only rotated the strike and batted at a strike-rate less than 100.
However, there was a moment in the match, where Babar had the chance to accelerate because USA bowler E Adil overstepped on the 2nd ball of the 10th over. Babar was on strike, and a free hit was the perfect opportunity for him to seek a boundary.
Babar Azam takes a single on a free hit
Much to everyone’s shock and dismay, the right-handed batter only took a single off the free hit. Notably, Adil changed his pace and bowled a slower. However, the lack of intent to go for a boundary shocked the fans.
Babar Azam’s shot quickly went viral on social media and became a talking point as the fans demanded his ouster from the team.
Babar Azam misses out on 1st T20 World Cup 2026 fifty
Despite the initial struggle, Babar Azam did put a foot on the accelerator and smashed Harmeet Singh for 16 runs in the 13th over of the match. Before the over, Babar was batting on 15 (18), which is when he smashed his first six of the innings, followed by a couple of boundaries.
From 15 (18), Babar quickly raced to 42 (28). The right-handed batter had the perfect opportunity to score his maiden fifty of this edition, but threw his wicket away and returned to the pavilion on 46 (32).
Babar Azam with lowest strike-rate among all cricketers
The pressure is on Babar to score quickfire runs as he is failing to meet the modern standards of the game. Further, a recent stat has also shown that the 31-year-old has the lowest strike-rate among batters across the globe with minimum 500 T20 World Cup runs.
For the unversed, Babar has a strike-rate of 110.8, followed by Mohammad Hafeez, who batted with a strike-rate of 111 during his career. Notably, the list also featured the likes of Kane Williamson and Kumar Sangakkara.
Talking about the ongoing match, Pakistan are in a comfortable position as they have put 172/4 after 17.5 overs and the Men in Green are on course of their 2nd straight win in this edition.
Shedding light on Babar, then there is a sword hanging over his head, despite his fourty-plus run knock.
