The debate around Babar Azam refuses to fade at the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup. Once hailed as Pakistan’s next great batting superstar, Babar has tried multiple roles in this edition, opening the innings, batting in the top order and even shifting to the middle order. So far, none of the moves have delivered the desired results.
On February 24, during Pakistan’s defeat to England national cricket team, Babar once again struggled for fluency, scoring at barely above a run-a-ball. His form and role have sparked fresh scrutiny.
Before that game, former England captain Michael Vaughan praised head coach Mike Hesson for navigating what he described as the complex politics of Pakistan cricket. Speaking on Cricbuzz, Vaughan said:
“I admire overseas coaches that go and coach in Pakistan because I can only imagine what’s going on,” Vaughan said on Cricbuzz.
“But Babar Azam himself, I think Mike Hesson has dealt with it brilliantly because he clearly 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.”
Vaughan believes Babar’s method, even if considered outdated in the modern T20 game, still has value in Sri Lankan conditions. He suggested that other batters should adopt a more aggressive approach around him, allowing Babar to anchor the innings.
“In Sri Lanka, I think he’s absolutely perfect for those wickets because Sri Lanka so far has been 150-180, and I think Babar’s in that range. I think he’ll get Pakistan to a 160-170 score,” the Manchester-born cricketer said.
“I do admire the way that Mike Hesson has probably played the politics well, and it probably doesn’t give you the best chance of winning the World Cup. But I do feel on a pitch like we’ll find in Pallekele, I would want a Babar Azam in my team. Absolutely, because I want someone solid who can knock the spinners around. If he strikes at 125-130, that’s absolutely fine. You’ll need a cameo or two from two or three of the players around you, but I would want that consistent player in the middle of the innings. I think they’ve dealt with it right,” he added.
Vaughan also disclosed that he had spoken extensively with former Pakistan head coach Jason Gillespie, his Ashes rival, about the challenges of working within Pakistan cricket. Gillespie had earlier alleged excessive interference during his tenure. Vaughan admitted he would not consider taking up such a role himself.
“I personally would never want to go and be an overseas coach in Pakistan. I’ve spoken so much to Jason Gillespie when I went over there. So, it’s difficult. I just think Hesson and the team and the management – I think they’ve dealt with it perfectly. Absolutely perfect in what they’ve done,” he further added.
Statistically, Babar’s campaign has underwhelmed. In the 2026 tournament, he has scored 91 runs from four innings at an average of 22.75 and a strike rate of 112.34. Among batters with 90 or more runs in the competition, none has a lower strike rate. Only UAE’s Alishan Sharafu, striking at 112.40, comes close.
Across his T20 World Cup career, Babar has featured in 23 matches, scoring 640 runs from 21 innings at an average of 33.68 and a strike rate of 111.49. No player with 500 or more runs in the tournament’s history has recorded a lower strike rate than the former Pakistan captain.
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