Babar Azam played T20 World Cup 2026 with an injury: Reports

Pakistan batter Babar Azam reportedly participated in the recent T20 World Cup 2026 while dealing with an undisclosed injury. The right-handed batter was not fully fit during the campaign and subsequently lost his place in the squad for the recent three-match series against the Bangladesh national cricket team.

During the T20 World Cup, he managed just 91 runs in five innings. He scored five runs against arch-rivals India. The management demoted him down the batting order against Namibia, promoting Shadab Khan and Khawaja Nafay. He was dropped from the playing XI against Sri Lanka during the Super 8 stage.

Babar Azam Played T20 World Cup 2026 with Injury, Reveals Saleem Khaliq

Pakistan sports journalist Saleem Khaliq revealed that Babar Azam was not fully fit during the T20 World Cup. He explained how the team management handled the former captain following his poor run in the recent international tournament.

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Babar refused to participate in the domestic National T20 Cup, citing severe foot pain. Following his withdrawal, Dr. Javed Mughal examined the injury and diagnosed it as a serious condition that required immediate medical treatment.

"Babar Azam was not fully fit in the World Cup. He was not included in the squad for the Bangladesh tour due to being out of form. Later, when he refused to play in the National T20 Cup citing pain in his foot, Dr. Javed Mughal examined the injury, found it to be serious, and treatment was started," Saleem Khaliq wrote.

🚨 SHOCKING NEWS ON BABAR AZAM 🚨

- Babar Azam was not fully fit in T20 WC, and was later dropped from ODIs based on T20I form. 🤯 [Saleem Khaliq]

- He withdrew from NT20 cup citing foot pain, and Dr. Javed Mughal confirmed a serious injury and treatment began. pic.twitter.com/Hyjt3jtYju

— Salman. (@TsMeSalman) March 18, 2026

Senior selector Aaqib Javed had confirmed to the media that selectors were informed about his post-tournament injury status last Saturday.

Babar Azam’s Impressive International Record Across Formats

Babar Azam has played 61 Test matches and scored 4,366 runs at an average of 42.38, including nine centuries and 30 half-centuries in the longest format of the game.

In One Day Internationals, he has amassed 6,501 runs across 140 matches at an average of 53.72. The right-handed batter has smashed 20 centuries and 37 fifties for the national team.

In T20 International cricket, he has amassed 4,596 runs in 145 matches at an average of 38.94. He has struck three tons and 39 fifties in the shortest format. Notably, he is the leading run-getter in T20 Internationals. He will next be seen in action in PSL 2026 for Peshawar Zalmi.

Pakistan Team Management Not Impressed with Fitness of New Cricketers

With senior players unavailable, Pakistan selected four uncapped players for the Bangladesh ODI series. Maaz Sadaqat, Shamyl Hussain, Ghazi Ghori, and Saad Masood joined the squad alongside debutants Sahibzada Farhan and Abdul Samad.

The management tried out all the uncapped players during the series. Coach Hesson expressed satisfaction with their performances, insisting they showed the potential to succeed in international cricket. However, Saleem Khaliq said that the management was not impressed with their fitness.

"The team management is not impressed with the fitness of the new cricketers and has also expressed concern over their inability to handle pressure. Most young players had fitness suited to 20-over matches, and they faced difficulties in 50-over games. Now, it has been decided that players will only be approved for selection in the national team after a complete assessment of their fitness before each series," Saleem Khaliq added.

Also read: BCCI rethinks contracts! Jasprit Bumrah to receive compensation after A+ category removal: Reports