Babar Azam creates hits new strike rate low during Pakistan vs England T20 World Cup 2026 Super 8 clash

Babar Azam had a disappointing outing in Pakistan’s Super Eights match against England in the 2026 T20 World Cup at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium on Tuesday. The former captain scored 25 runs off 24 balls, hitting two boundaries, before being bowled by Jamie Overton.

With that knock, Babar ended up with an unwanted record. He now has the lowest strike-rate in T20 World Cup history among players who have scored at least 500 runs in the tournament.

Babar Azam's T20 World Cup 2026 performance

In the ongoing 2026 edition, Babar has played six matches but batted only four times. He has scored 91 runs at an average of 22.75. Once known as a regular opener, he has also been pushed down the order to bat at No. 4 or No. 5 in this tournament.

Babar’s overall T20I record is impressive. In 135 innings, he has scored 4571 runs. However, his career strike-rate of 128.18 has often been questioned in the shortest format. In the T20 World Cups, his strike-rate drops further to 111.5, which is the lowest for any player with 500 or more runs in the competition’s history.

Batters in the lowest strike rates

Here’s how the list of lowest strike-rates in T20 World Cups (minimum 500 runs) looks:

111.5 – Babar Azam

111.8 – Mohammad Hafeez

112.2 – Kumar Sangakkara

112.5 – Kane Williamson

113.0 – Mohammad Rizwan. 

England vs Pakistan 1st innings

England restricted Pakistan to 164 for nine in a Super 8 match of the T20 World Cup. Sahibzada Farhan scored 63 off 45 balls, while Babar Azam and Fakhar Zaman made 25 each. Liam Dawson (3/24), Jamie Overton (2/26) and Jofra Archer (2/32) were the main wicket-takers for England.

ALSO READ: Smriti Mandhana shares update on Harmanpreet Kaur's injury after India's six-wicket defeat against Australia in 1st ODI

Brief Scores:

Pakistan: 164 for 9 in 20 overs (Sahibzada Farhan 63; Liam Dawson 3/24) vs England.