Pakistan’s Babar Azam conundrum has continued in the ongoing ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026. From opener, top-order batter to a middle-order batter, nothing has worked out for Pakistan’s once touted next best thing. On February 24, Babar failed again, scoring just over a run-a-ball in Pakistan’s defeat to England. Before the match even started, former England captain Michael Vaughan lauded head coach Mike Hesson for dealing with politics in Pakistan cricket.
"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.”
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Vaughan explained why Babar is an asset for Pakistan in Sri Lanka despite his outdated strike rate in the format. He wants other Pakistan batters to play around him and score quickly. He lauded Hesson for slotting Babar in the middle order.
"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 revealed that he has had conversations with former Pakistan head coach, his Ashes opponent Jason Gillespie. The former Australian pacer had alleged too much interference when he was coaching the Pakistan team. The former England batter went on to say that he would never want to coach the Pakistan team.
"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.
Babar’s strike rate stoops even lower
In the ongoing T20 World Cup 2026, Babar has managed to score 91 runs from four innings at an average of 22.75 and strike rate of 112.34. No batter with 90 or more runs in the tournament has a strike rate lower than Babar. Only UAE's Alishan Sharafu with a strike rate of 112.40 comes close to him.
Overall, Babar has played 23 T20 World Cup games. From 21 innings, he has scored 640 runs at an average of 33.68 and strike rate of 111.49. No batter with 500 or more runs in T20 World Cup history has a lower strike rate than the former Pakistan captain.