Babar Azam, who was dropped from Pakistan’s T20I squad last year for his slow strike rate, is currently featuring in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 and the right-hander has once again come under intense scrutiny for his turtle-paced approach.
During Pakistan’s campaign opener against the Netherlands in Colombo on Saturday (February 7), Babar managed to score only 15 off 18 balls. While the former Pakistan skipper made 32-ball 46 against the USA, he was knocked over for just 5 off 7 balls in the high-pressure fixture against arch-rivals India.
Babar played at No. 4 in those three innings, and didn’t get a chance to bat in the last group match against Namibia as World Cup debutant Khawaja Nafay was sent at two down after the Men in Green lost their second wicket during the 13th over.
On the eve of Pakistan’s Super 8 opener against New Zealand, head coach Mike Hesson addressed a press conference in Colombo, where he highlighted every flaw in Babar Azam’s T20 batting before explaining his role in the team.
“We got to the 12th over mark and at that point, Babar Azam is not the best person to come in,” Hesson told reporters. “We’ve got plenty of other options who can come in and perform that role towards the end. And Babar is actually the first to acknowledge that. He knows that he’s got a certain set of skills that the team require, and there are certain times where other players can perform that role more efficiently.”
Hesson went on to say that Babar’s vulnerability against spin was a major factor that held him back.
“Babar was the first to recognise when left arm spin was taking shape and it was turning that it wasn’t a smart move to send out two right handers. And then the left arm spinner had finished and Nafay went out to take the game on. That’s what we needed at that time. So no, certainly not a paradigm shift, more about roles,” the coach added.
Hesson mince no words as he said Babar’s strike rate in the power play is not good enough, which is why he cannot open. So, his role is largely to be an anchor who rescues the team after a collapse.
“Well, look, it’s what the team requires,” Hesson stated. “And Babar is well aware of that. I think he’s well aware his strike rate in the PowerPlay in World Cups is less than 100 in T20s. So clearly, that’s not a role that we think we need here.
“We think he’s a fine player through the middle if required, in terms of if we’re in a little bit of trouble. 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. And he did in many games throughout the last 10,” he further remarked.
