During the critical evaluation of Pakistanthis is awesome t20 world cup 2026 campaign, east England captain michael vaughn Provided a clear perspective on why Babar Azam Has remained a permanent fixture in the lineup despite his statistical decline.
The former captain has scored only 91 runs in six innings at a strike rate of 112.34, due to which the pressure to remove him has reached its peak. However, Vaughan argues that the complex ‘institutional realities’ and internal power dynamics of Pakistan cricket make it impossible for him to sit on the bench except as a head coach. mike hesson With the important task of managing both the player’s ego and the team’s tactical needs simultaneously.
Michael Vaughan explains why Babar Azam is still unbeaten for Pakistan amid T20 World Cup clash
Vaughan stressed that leading the Pakistan national team is as much about diplomacy as it is about cricket. He praised Hesson for his pragmatic approach to the ‘Babar problem’, noting that the coach had successfully saved the team from potential political fallout by restoring Babar to the middle order. By slotting him at number four, Hesson has turned an inevitable selection into a strategic safety net, ensuring that even if the top order collapses, a high-profile ‘anchor’ is available to stabilize the innings, despite criticism about his scoring rate.
“I admire foreign coaches who go to Pakistan and train because I can only imagine what’s going on. But Babar Azam himself, I think Mike Hesson has dealt with it brilliantly because he obviously has to play Babar Azam, and he’s using him as an insurance policy. You lose two wickets; he’s your insurance. He comes in at number four, and he can just play. I admire the way he In a way Mike Hesson has probably played politics well, and it probably doesn’t give you the best chance of winning the World Cup.” Vaughan said on Cricbuzz.
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T20 World Cup 2026: Vaughan details Babar’s current technical limitations
Vaughan offered a detailed account of Babar’s current technical limitations, revealing that the batsman’s game is no longer made for the modern, ultra-aggressive T20 era. While Babar remains a key asset on the turning tracks of Pallekele, Sri Lanka, where a score of 160 is competitive, Vaughan warned that he lacks the explosive gear required to chase or set a target of over 200. The former captain believes Babar is now a specialist on “hard” wickets rather than a match-winner on a “flat” deck, requiring a supporting team of power-hitters to compensate for his steady, low-risk approach.
“In Sri Lanka, I think he is perfect for those wickets because Sri Lanka have scored 150-180 so far, and I think Babar is in that range. I think he will take Pakistan to 160-170. But at 200 days or 210 days, Babar will not be able to get you there. I don’t think he is that kind of player anymore. If he attacks 125-130, that’s absolutely fine, you need one or two cameos from two or three players around you, but I would like to have that consistent player in the middle of the innings.” Vaughan concluded.
