The Pakistan Nationwide Cricket Workforce and captain Salman Ali Agha are coping with a significant query, and that’s, does Babar Azam nonetheless slot in fashionable T20 cricket forward of the T20 World Cup 2026? Pakistan will begin their marketing campaign towards the Netherlands on February 7.
Nicely, Babar Azam’s choice for the T20 World Cup 2026 has shocked many. Really, the previous Pakistan captain was unnoticed of the Asia Cup 2025 squad due to his struggles towards spin and poor scoring fee velocity and he was recalled for the distinguished event.
Apparently, these issues haven’t disappeared, which is why his return for the T20 World Cup 2026 has triggered intense debate. Even contained in the staff, Salman and the staff administration are uncertain how Babar suits into Pakistan’s aggressive plans.
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Salman Agha Demotes Babar Azam to No. 4
That concern is now seen in a daring resolution taken by Captain Salman Ali Agha. For the T20 World Cup 2026, Salman has locked himself in at No. 3, pushing Babar right down to No. 4. This transformation was first examined throughout Pakistan’s latest dwelling T20I sequence towards Australia.
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The thought behind this reshuffle is easy. Salman is seen as a stronger participant towards spin and extra able to scoring rapidly within the center overs, particularly in subcontinent circumstances the place sluggish bowling dominates early phases. That’s the reason he has moved up the order to take management within the center overs and even throughout the powerplay if required.
Babar has been nominated to No. 4 to play the position of a stabiliser in case early wickets fall and to deal with quick bowling later within the innings. And he’ll proceed batting at this place on the mega occasion. This transfer additionally confirms that Saim Ayub and Sahibzada Farhan are set to open for Pakistan. This transfer made it clear that Pakistan now not sees Babar as the primary attacking batter on the prime.
Pakistan’s To Endure As a result of Of Babar Azam’s Low Strike Price
The largest fear stays Babar’s sluggish scoring fee. This situation has adopted him in every single place and is now Pakistan’s greatest headache forward of the T20 World Cup 2026. Within the 2025–26 Massive Bash League, Babar struggled badly, scoring runs at a sluggish strike fee near 103 and averaging simply over 22. The issues continued within the latest T20I sequence towards Australia.
The precise-handed batter managed solely 24 runs within the first match and simply two runs within the second. Nevertheless, within the remaining sport, Babar confirmed his class with an unbeaten half-century off 36 balls, putting at 138. That innings helped Pakistan register a large 111-run win and full a clear 3-0 sweep over Australia.
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Babar Azam To Be Worst Batter In T20 World Cup 2026?
Azam remains to be Pakistan’s highest run-scorer in T20I cricket with 4,505 runs, however his strike fee of 128.38 continues to boost questions. The scenario seems to be even worse in T20 World Cups, the place his strike fee drops to round 112, which is way beneath what is predicted within the fashionable T20 sport.
