Babar Azam is heading into the T20 World Cup 2026 with more pressure than ever before, as his place and role in the Pakistan cricket team is in the spotlight. This global tournament could define the next phase of Babar Azam’s career.
Babar Azam is under immense pressure before T20 World Cup 2026
Babar’s strike rate has always been a subject of debate, raising questions about whether his classic style still suits the fast-changing demands of modern T20 cricket. Teams are now built around fearless power hitters, a style that once cost the former Pakistan captain his place in the T20 team.
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However, Pakistan have decided to give the right-handed batsman another chance but with a different role. With aggressive batsmen Saim Ayub and Sahibzada Farhan moving up to the top spot, Babar dropped into the middle order as captain Salman Ali Aga moved up to number three.
Babar will bat at number four, where he is expected to control the innings and guide the middle order, especially on the slow and spin-friendly pitches in Sri Lanka during the mega event.
Mohammad Aamir’s warning to Babar
Ahead of the T20 World Cup 2026, former Pakistan bowler Mohammad Amir has warned Babar of losing his place in the playing eleven if he fails to justify his selection. He also pointed out that Babar has struggled against spin recently, which will put more pressure on him.
“Babar Azam now needs to prove his selection. I’ve heard the management saying that they need him in spin-friendly conditions, but he has struggled against spin, and we saw that in the Australia series,” Geo News quoted Mohammad Amir as saying.
Salman Ali Aga hints at ousting Babar Azam
Even Pakistan captain Salman Ali Aga has already made it clear that no player will be selected just on the basis of reputation or past achievements. He stressed that only form and balance will decide who makes the playing eleven.
“We will try to play whatever is the best combination,” Salman said in the pre-match press conference.
PCB’s call to boycott India puts Pakistan’s T20 World Cup 2026 hopes in jeopardy
Meanwhile, the Pakistan Cricket Board has decided to boycott the match against India to be held in Colombo on February 15. The PCB and ICC are yet to confirm the final decision, so there is a big question whether Pakistan will be able to progress from the T20 World Cup group stage.
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Pakistan was placed in Group A along with India, USA, Namibia and Netherlands. If they boycott the India match, the Men in Green cannot afford to lose any of their other group games to reach the next round.
‘Cricket should not suffer’: Former BCCI chief selector criticizes PCB
However, former BCCI chief selector Chetan Sharma said that Pakistan will take a U-turn on its boycott call. India Today quoted him as saying: “What was the fault of the Bangladesh players? None. This is politics. There are elections in Bangladesh on the 12th. After that, you will see a U-turn.
A statement will come out saying, ‘Keeping in mind public sentiment, cricket should not suffer; Pakistan will play against India. This stance is only regarding Bangladesh elections. I have been a politician; I have contested elections. After the elections, perhaps the military chief will also say that the game should be kept free from politics and the match should go ahead.
