What's new

Should Babar Azam make Pakistan’s ICC T20 World Cup (2026) squad?

Should Babar Azam make Pakistan’s T20 World Cup (2026) squad?

  • Total voters
    49
Rana said:
@shah9425 i noticed you voted “No” babar for T20 World Cup…

But you would vote “Yes” if the question was regarding Rizwan.

So do us a favour and take back your paltry vote! You do not belong in this fight for justice!
Click to expand...
My vote my choice
Who are you to dictate me
Your justice we know very well
 
Kianig89 said:
So Babar makes another WC squad, 4th T20 WC appearance is that for him , quite sad that he is playing in a very weak team ,let's hope they finally win it
Click to expand...
He was playing in a very strong team at Sixers but they booted him out 🤡
 
In the Basit Ali /Kamran show one viewers asked who are the 4 Impact players of Pakistan. He starts with Saim Ayub.. after a pause Shadab, after a pause Babar lol Then he corrected it to Saim Ayub, Shadab, Shaheen, Fakhar.
 
No justification to include Babar. I think even his most ardent supporters have run out of arguments for his inclusion. He offers almost nothing in this format. We don’t need those fours.
 
With the T20 World Cup 2026 approaching, I think it’s fair to have an honest discussion about Babar Azam’s place in the squad purely from a T20 perspective.

In the first T20I against Australia, he scored 24 off 20 balls. In the second match, he made 2 off 5. While it’s a small sample size, the concern isn’t just about runs it’s about strike rate and tempo in modern T20 cricket.

The format has evolved significantly. Powerplay intent, aggressive scoring, and maintaining a strike rate above 135–140 are now key expectations for top-order batters. Teams that succeed in global tournaments usually have openers who apply immediate pressure and maximise the first six overs.

If one batter at the top plays slowly, even if he doesn’t get out, it can actually help the opposition. When a batter takes too many balls to score, bowlers don’t feel pressure. They can stick to their plans, bowl their preferred lengths, and build confidence. The fielding side stays calm because there is no scoreboard pressure.

When there is no pressure, captains don’t need to change fields, bowlers don’t need to take risks, and the opposition can slowly take control of the match. This allows them to build momentum. In T20 cricket, momentum is everything. Once the bowling side feels in control, it becomes harder for the batting team to suddenly shift gears later in the innings. something which Babar and Rizwan be implementing and making it harder for the incoming batsmen to take back control.

The goal is to force mistakes early make bowlers change their lengths, push captains to adjust fields, and create panic in the opposition camp. When batters score quickly upfront, it completely changes the tone of the match. The fielding side feels pressure, bowlers rush their plans, and momentum stays with the batting team.


what what your opinions? should Babar be allowed on the plane?

@Rana @mominsaigol @RidiculousMan
 
Babar is a must. Dropping Babar will be catastrophic for PCB, will cost them millions of eyeballs. We know how much PCB value those 'Eyeballs'.

As far as cricket is concerned, who cares? I mean, Pakistan will be thrashed badly anyways with or without Babar. But them 'eyeballs' are important.
 
For everything he’s done for his nation, for everything he’s been through, and just to complete the redemption arc, yes.
 
emranabbas said:
With the T20 World Cup 2026 approaching, I think it’s fair to have an honest discussion about Babar Azam’s place in the squad purely from a T20 perspective.

In the first T20I against Australia, he scored 24 off 20 balls. In the second match, he made 2 off 5. While it’s a small sample size, the concern isn’t just about runs it’s about strike rate and tempo in modern T20 cricket.

The format has evolved significantly. Powerplay intent, aggressive scoring, and maintaining a strike rate above 135–140 are now key expectations for top-order batters. Teams that succeed in global tournaments usually have openers who apply immediate pressure and maximise the first six overs.

If one batter at the top plays slowly, even if he doesn’t get out, it can actually help the opposition. When a batter takes too many balls to score, bowlers don’t feel pressure. They can stick to their plans, bowl their preferred lengths, and build confidence. The fielding side stays calm because there is no scoreboard pressure.

When there is no pressure, captains don’t need to change fields, bowlers don’t need to take risks, and the opposition can slowly take control of the match. This allows them to build momentum. In T20 cricket, momentum is everything. Once the bowling side feels in control, it becomes harder for the batting team to suddenly shift gears later in the innings. something which Babar and Rizwan be implementing and making it harder for the incoming batsmen to take back control.

The goal is to force mistakes early make bowlers change their lengths, push captains to adjust fields, and create panic in the opposition camp. When batters score quickly upfront, it completely changes the tone of the match. The fielding side feels pressure, bowlers rush their plans, and momentum stays with the batting team.


what what your opinions? should Babar be allowed on the plane?

@Rana @mominsaigol @RidiculousMan
Click to expand...

Ok let's say we don't take Babar. Who is the anchor?

I want names.
 
RidiculousMan said:
Yep. Salman is an anchor. There is no need of more than one in a T20 game
Click to expand...
And the concept of anchor is flawed..

Salman for instance can try to go at 150 sr but if bunch of wickets fall he can slow down a bit inbetween to strike between 125-140 such that his overall S/r stays around 140
 
emranabbas said:
With the T20 World Cup 2026 approaching, I think it’s fair to have an honest discussion about Babar Azam’s place in the squad purely from a T20 perspective.

In the first T20I against Australia, he scored 24 off 20 balls. In the second match, he made 2 off 5. While it’s a small sample size, the concern isn’t just about runs it’s about strike rate and tempo in modern T20 cricket.

The format has evolved significantly. Powerplay intent, aggressive scoring, and maintaining a strike rate above 135–140 are now key expectations for top-order batters. Teams that succeed in global tournaments usually have openers who apply immediate pressure and maximise the first six overs.

If one batter at the top plays slowly, even if he doesn’t get out, it can actually help the opposition. When a batter takes too many balls to score, bowlers don’t feel pressure. They can stick to their plans, bowl their preferred lengths, and build confidence. The fielding side stays calm because there is no scoreboard pressure.

When there is no pressure, captains don’t need to change fields, bowlers don’t need to take risks, and the opposition can slowly take control of the match. This allows them to build momentum. In T20 cricket, momentum is everything. Once the bowling side feels in control, it becomes harder for the batting team to suddenly shift gears later in the innings. something which Babar and Rizwan be implementing and making it harder for the incoming batsmen to take back control.

The goal is to force mistakes early make bowlers change their lengths, push captains to adjust fields, and create panic in the opposition camp. When batters score quickly upfront, it completely changes the tone of the match. The fielding side feels pressure, bowlers rush their plans, and momentum stays with the batting team.


what what your opinions? should Babar be allowed on the plane?

@Rana @mominsaigol @RidiculousMan
Click to expand...
Blasphemy! He absolutely deserves to be there. Stop being a hater. He led Pak to its only win over India in a WC
 
Raja Ishtiaq said:
Ok let's say we don't take Babar. Who is the anchor?

I want names.
Click to expand...
What is this Anchor Wanchor? If you want to get pedantic, Usman did a bit of anchoring today, but ended well. Anyone can anchor lol. It’s not difficult, if the situation demands, anyone can just cut out risky shots. We have an endless line of wanchors…err I mean anchors to choose from.

You want to pick Babar as “anchor”? In SL? Against spinners? On turning wickets? LOL
 
No point in having him in the XI.

You can keep him in the squad as a secondary option but they need someone else at #4.
 
Enough is enough, I fail to understand for how long Babar will get a free ride. He can't be a passenger forever and jeopardise the overall performance of team. He should be discarded from T20s forever and replaced with any youngster. He should be put on notice period in ODIs & tests
 
Well Usman showed a dimension of anchoring today , aesthetically a bit ugly like the anchors in ⚽️ Kante , Makelèle
 
There is no concept of Anchoring in t20. A T20 top order batter should be able to strike the ball at will and hold the wicket if needed. thats called adapdbility. You cant have a top order who can anchor but cannot adapt and strike the ball . In Modern T20 with Batting Friendly tracks , Anchoring role is seldom required
 
pakistani pride said:
Discussion?
Its 100% clear he should NOT play the WT20.

What is he even doing in the team?!
Click to expand...
We need to have a serious discussion because somehow, despite everything we’ve watched, there are still people confidently calling him the world’s greatest player.

At this point, I’m honestly impressed by the level of loyalty. Performances come and go, standards evolve, the game moves forward but the “greatest in the world” label remains untouched, protected like a family heirloom.

Apparently context doesn’t matter. Strike rate doesn’t matter. Impact doesn’t matter. Modern demands of the format? Irrelevant. We’re just meant to nod along and accept that reputation alone is enough.

It’s not even criticism anymore it’s just confusion. Are we analysing current performances, or are we grading on nostalgia and fan following.
 
Babar was brought back largely on reputation. His natural game is far better suited to ODIs and Tests, and constant chopping and changing is hurting his form. PCB really needs to rethink its approach, team balance should always come before individual egos. Just for Babar they are going to hurt PCT's chances of moving ahead and winning the tournament.
 
if we are playing him as an anchor, play him at no. 8 even that doesnt make sense, other hard hitters can anchor and score fast both. Look at hasan nawaz in bpl, he anchored most innnings.
 
emranabbas said:
With the T20 World Cup 2026 approaching, I think it’s fair to have an honest discussion about Babar Azam’s place in the squad purely from a T20 perspective.

In the first T20I against Australia, he scored 24 off 20 balls. In the second match, he made 2 off 5. While it’s a small sample size, the concern isn’t just about runs it’s about strike rate and tempo in modern T20 cricket.

The format has evolved significantly. Powerplay intent, aggressive scoring, and maintaining a strike rate above 135–140 are now key expectations for top-order batters. Teams that succeed in global tournaments usually have openers who apply immediate pressure and maximise the first six overs.

If one batter at the top plays slowly, even if he doesn’t get out, it can actually help the opposition. When a batter takes too many balls to score, bowlers don’t feel pressure. They can stick to their plans, bowl their preferred lengths, and build confidence. The fielding side stays calm because there is no scoreboard pressure.

When there is no pressure, captains don’t need to change fields, bowlers don’t need to take risks, and the opposition can slowly take control of the match. This allows them to build momentum. In T20 cricket, momentum is everything. Once the bowling side feels in control, it becomes harder for the batting team to suddenly shift gears later in the innings. something which Babar and Rizwan be implementing and making it harder for the incoming batsmen to take back control.

The goal is to force mistakes early make bowlers change their lengths, push captains to adjust fields, and create panic in the opposition camp. When batters score quickly upfront, it completely changes the tone of the match. The fielding side feels pressure, bowlers rush their plans, and momentum stays with the batting team.


what what your opinions? should Babar be allowed on the plane?

@Rana @mominsaigol @RidiculousMan
Click to expand...
This is so true. This is the reason Babar always gets out to "Jaffas". He does get out to excellent deliveries from the oppposions best bowlers, if we peel back further this is because the bowlers bowl with no pressure of being scored against, giving them the psychological advantage, thus allowing them to produce Jaffas. He doesn't exert himself on the opposition.

Take today for example, brilliant delivery by Zampa, flighted ,drifted, pitched and turned, would have hit top of off if his Babar's leg didn't intervene. The reason he bowled this Jaffa was Babar's timid body language before the delivery , the bowler knowing Babar will play conventionally , thus creating the perfect environment to bowl his best bowl. Babar should have come down the track and slapped it through he covers on the half volley, instead he played back and played a timid poke and got out. A humilitating, subdued celebration by Zampa said it all.
 
Boom-Boom-Afridi-37 said:
This is so true. This is the reason Babar always gets out to "Jaffas". He does get out to excellent deliveries from the oppposions best bowlers, if we peel back further this is because the bowlers bowl with no pressure of being scored against, giving them the psychological advantage, thus allowing them to produce Jaffas. He doesn't exert himself on the opposition.

Take today for example, brilliant delivery by Zampa, flighted ,drifted, pitched and turned, would have hit top of off if his Babar's leg didn't intervene. The reason he bowled this Jaffa was Babar's timid body language before the delivery , the bowler knowing Babar will play conventionally , thus creating the perfect environment to bowl his best bowl. Babar should have come down the track and slapped it through he covers on the half volley, instead he played back and played a timid poke and got out. A humilitating, subdued celebration by Zampa said it all.
Click to expand...
If you play Tuk Tuk in T20 Cricket then the spinners will find a good area to bowl consistently.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

BouncerGuy
ICC T20 World Cup (2026): Afghanistan squad announced
Replies
2
Views
253
AAli98
A
Cricket Warrior
ICC T20 World Cup (2026): Sri Lanka squad announced
Replies
0
Views
44
Cricket Warrior
Cricket Warrior
Cricket Warrior
ICC T20 World Cup (2026): Nepal squad announced
Replies
0
Views
130
Cricket Warrior
Cricket Warrior
Cricket Warrior
ICC T20 World Cup (2026): Scotland squad announced
Replies
10
Views
187
BDfanforever
B
Devadwal
ICC T20 World Cup (2026): India squad announced
Replies
49
Views
1K
CrIc_Mystique
CrIc_Mystique
Back
Top