The last few months have seen Babar Azam‘s T20I game being dissected left, right and centre. Many pundits across the world believe that the right-hander is no longer the right fit when it comes to the shortest format of the game, arguing that the 31-year-old has failed to keep up with the times and add more firepower to his game. In the recently concluded Big Bash League (BBL), Babar was part of a controversial incident after Sydney Sixers’ Steve Smith denied him a single off the final ball of an over as the former wanted to make the most of the Power Surge. The T20 World Cup 2026 has compounded Babar’s worries as the batter has found it tough to get going.
Pakistan’s Babar Azam walks off after being dismissed. (REUTERS)
Former Pakistan pacer Shoaib Akhtar is the latest former cricketer to sound alarm bells for the batter, saying Babar should have taken a call on his T20I career and decided that this format is not for him.
In the T20 World Cup 2026, Babar has scored 66 runs in five matches so far, at an average of 22 and a strike rate of 115.78. The former Pakistan captain has been slow off the blocks in almost all games, putting pressure on the other end. And to make matters worse, he played two horrendous shots against the Netherlands and India, throwing his wicket away, giving the opposition the upper hand.
Akhtar said that if Babar wants to be a regular feature in the T20I playing XI, then the management must ensure he bats in the first six overs; otherwise, there can be no place for him in the side.
“First of all, Babar should have decided that this format is not my format. Secondly, if you wanted Babar to play, you should have ensured he played in the first six overs. It’s very simple. There is no rocket science to that,” Akhtar said on ‘Game On Hai.
Babar at No.4?
In the T20 World Cup 2026, Babar has been batting at No.4 for Pakistan; however, he was demoted in the batting order against Namibia and didn’t bat. Ahead of the Super 8s match against New Zealand, Pakistan coach Mike Hesson said that Babar has been batting at No.4 because of his low strike rate in the powerplay.
However, former Pakistan captain Hafeez disagreed with the statement, saying Babar does not have the game for the No.4 slot, and he should play either as an opener or a No.3 batter.
“Our coach, Mike Hesson, gave a statement on Babar Azam, but I was not able to understand it. He said Babar is neither a batter who can make the most of the powerplay nor one who can strike it big after the 10-over mark. I tried my best to make sense of it, I heard it 15 times, but to no avail. If this is the case, then why is Babar playing?” said Hafeez on the same show as Akhtar.
Pakistan’s Super 8s match against New Zealand got washed out due to rain in Colombo on Saturday. Both teams got 1 point each after a single ball was not bowled at the R Premadasa Stadium.