India, Feb 25 : Pakistan’s campaign in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 has reignited debate over Babar Azam’s role in the side, with former England skipper Michael Vaughan weighing in on the matter.
Babar’s lean run continued on February 24 when he managed only a run a ball effort in the defeat to England. His shifting positions in the batting order from opener to middle order have yet to yield the desired impact for the former captain.
Speaking on Cricbuzz ahead of the fixture, Vaughan praised head coach Mike Hesson for managing what he described as the complexities surrounding team selection in Pakistan cricket.
“I admire overseas coaches that go and coach in Pakistan because I can only imagine what’s going on,” Vaughan said, suggesting that Hesson has handled the situation astutely.
He described Babar as an “insurance policy” at No. 4, arguing that the right-hander can stabilise innings if early wickets fall. Vaughan maintained that on Sri Lankan pitches, where totals have ranged between 150 and 180, Babar’s steady approach could still hold value.
“In conditions like Pallekele, I’d want someone solid who can rotate strike against spin,” he noted, adding that a strike rate in the 125–130 range would be acceptable if other batters provide quick cameos around him.
However, Vaughan also acknowledged the broader challenges of coaching in Pakistan. Referring to conversations with former head coach Jason Gillespie, he indicated that off-field dynamics can complicate decision-making. “Personally, I would never want to be an overseas coach in Pakistan,” he remarked, while reiterating that the current management has navigated the situation effectively.
Numbers Under Scrutiny
The statistics underline the concern around Babar Azam’s T20 World Cup strike rate. In the ongoing edition, he has scored 91 runs in four innings at an average of 22.75 and a strike rate of 112.34 the lowest among players with 90-plus runs in the tournament.
Across his T20 World Cup career, he has amassed 640 runs in 21 innings at an average of 33.68, but with a strike rate of 111.49 the lowest among batters who have scored over 500 runs in the competition’s history.
With knockout stages approaching, questions remain over whether Pakistan can afford to persist with a conservative anchor role or if a tactical shift is needed to keep their title hopes alive.