Babar Azam faces criticism from former Pakistani players despite his position in the T20 World Cup squad, as concerns grow over his strike rate and recent performances against India.
Babar Azam, who holds the record for the highest run-scorer in international T20 cricket, is in the spotlight following discussions about his performance in matches against India. Despite his inclusion in the T20 World Cup 2026 squad after having been dropped from the ODI team, he has been under scrutiny. Former players have trolled him on social media, highlighting the pressure he faces to deliver strong performances amid increasing doubts about his position in the team.
In the T20 World Cup, Babar has had a shaky start, with critics pointing to his low strike rate and slow scoring in key matches. For instance, in his first match of the tournament against the Netherlands, he scored just 15 runs off 18 balls, which raised eyebrows among cricket enthusiasts and experts alike. While he managed to improve with a more aggressive 46 off 32 balls against the USA, the commentary around his batting remains heavily speculative and critical, especially concerning his ability to increase run rates in crucial games.
The rivalry between India and Pakistan adds extra pressure, making every performance under scrutiny. With concerns over his ability to handle this pressure while consistently contributing to the team's success, the criticism from former players may reflect a larger issue within Pakistan's cricketing approach. As the World Cup progresses, all eyes will be on Babar to see if he can turn the criticism into commendable performances, silencing his detractors and securing his role as a leader in the national squad.
