Former Indian Test batsman Cheteshwar Pujara has made fun of Babar Azam ahead of the high-voltage T20 World Cup 2026 clash between India and Pakistan in Colombo on Sunday, February 15.
Babar Azam’s strike rate in headlines
Despite being Pakistan’s leading run-scorer with 4,566 runs in 141 T20I matches, Babar Azam’s strike rate of 128.29 has become a major talking point, and his recent T20 World Cup 2026 performances in the middle order have only intensified the debate and scrutiny.
Just ahead of the much-awaited Colombo encounter, Pujara has joked that India would prefer Babar to bat longer and eat more balls, thereby reducing Pakistan’s chances of scoring big on the potentially slow and turning surface of the stadium.
Also read: Jasprit Bumrah reached with the help of Irfan Pathan to dismiss Sahibzada Farhan in the match between India and Pakistan.
Babar Azam has struggled in the recent tournament. The former Pakistan captain scored just 15 runs in 18 balls at a strike rate of 83.33 against Netherlands. Even in the Big Bash League 2025-26, he scored 202 runs in 11 matches for Sydney Sixers at a strike rate of only 103.06 – the lowest for any player who has scored 200+ in any BBL season.
Cheteshwar Pujara has taken a dig at Babar Azam
His slow running is already a headache for Pakistan. And Pujara mentioned that all eyes will be on Babar in the clash against India, and if he fails to increase his strike rate, it could tilt the match in favor of the defending champions in the T20 World Cup 2026 clash.
Cheteshwar Pujara said in the pre-match show of Star Sports before the India vs Pakistan match, “The Indian team wants Babar Azam to play a little more. If he plays a little more, then… there is a lot of discussion about the strike rate, but… see, there is a lot of focus on him.”
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– Drizzyat12Kennyat8 (@45kennyat7PM) FEbRYouARthis 15, 2026
Sourav Ganguly is excited for the exciting battle of Jasprit Bumrah vs Sahibzada Farhan
Meanwhile, former Indian captain Sourav Ganguly said that he is excited to see the face-off between Jasprit Bumrah and Pakistan opener Sahibzada Farhan in the group match.
Also read: ICC demands ban on Usman Tariq wearing full sleeves in India vs Pakistan match
Ganguly said, “It will be exciting to watch the battle between Sahabzada Farhan and Bumrah. But it is not just about one player. All Pakistani batsmen will have to play well against Bumrah. If Pakistan sees his four overs well, they will have a chance to win. If they don’t, they will have to struggle.”
India will continue no-handshake policy against Pakistan
Notably, India will continue its “no handshake” stance against Pakistan during their T20 World Cup 2026. According to PTI report, both the teams have decided to avoid traditional greetings and maintain distance before and after the match.
India and Pakistan have faced each other eight times in T20 World Cup history. India are on top with seven wins, while Pakistan has won once. Despite India’s clear advantage on paper, most matches have been tightly contested, including the 2007 World Cup final.
The team that wins the India vs Pakistan match will almost secure its place in the Super 8 stage. The losing team will have to win both its remaining matches to remain in the tournament.