Pakistan gamble! Babar Azam set for shocking T20I role change
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Pakistan have struggled a lot due to Babar Azam's misfitting into the T20 setup due to his low strike rate. However, the concern has now split the former greats, who have different opinions on Babar's position in the batting order.
Pakistan are at a very crucial juncture in their campaign. They have a do-or-die match scheduled to be played against the hosts, Sri Lanka. Having lost the match against England and the game against New Zealand being washed out, Pakistan have just one point after two games.
Pakistan have been relieved after England claimed a victory over the Kiwis; otherwise, their campaign would have ended right there. As of now, Pakistan would have to claim a massive win over Sri Lanka to surpass the net run rate of New Zealand in order to seal the semi-final spot against South Africa.
"Babar should open; he will play cricketing shots in the powerplay, and his Strike Rate will be high" - Saqlain Mushtaq
Babar Azam's participation in T20 games was once in doubt, especially after Mike Hesson considered dropping him from the Asia Cup squad in 2025. However, he has been backed since then, but Babar has yet to produce a significant impact.
In this T20 World Cup, Babar has not been able to fire against any decent or competitive opposition. He failed terribly against India and then played a 24-ball 25-run innings against England. There have been claims made about promoting Babar in the batting order.
After Babar's poor show in the Big Bash League as an opener, head coach Mike Hesson did not consider him to open the innings, as he thought that it would be a probable waste of the fielding restrictions in the powerplay; hence, he was slotted in the middle-order. However, former Pakistani legend Saqlain Mushtaq believes otherwise.
"I would like to promote Babar Azam. Why am I doing this? It's the powerplay, he will play some proper cricketing shots, and I think he will be able to achieve the maximum strike rate. His game gets different after the powerplay gets over," opines Saqlain Mushtaq.
"Babar Azam should be sent in at first down; he is a technically solid batsman" - Mohammad Hafeez
Former Pakistani skipper Mohammad Hafeez, on the other hand, believes that Babar Azam should be sent in at the first down position if not opening the innings. He shared that Saim Ayub is a part of the team under all circumstances, and if he gets going in the powerplay, it is good for them; if not, then Babar can come in and play his shots.
"I don't think he should be benched. If Babar has to play, he will either play as an opener or at no. 3. Playing him at no. 4 is an injustice to him as well as the Pakistan team. It is due to these decisions not being made rightly that today we are caught up in this do-or-die situation.
"If you want to play Babar in the team, then either make him open or bat at no. 3; otherwise, he has no place in the team," Hafeez strongly opined.
"He is a technically solid batsman. When he is trying to hit the ball hard, he is getting troubled, but when he is looking to time the ball really well, there is a chance that he will get those runs," reasoned Hafeez when Umar Gull asked the reason behind Babar Azam's promotion.
"Babar Azam at no. 3 if Pakistan bats first, but not if they chase" - Umar Gul
Lastly, the show hostess went to Umar Gul to get his opinion on Babar Azam's probable role, according to him. To this, the former Pakistani paceman opined that the batter should be sent in early at no. 3. If they opt to bat first, as they would need partnerships if they wish to put a 180- or 200-run score on the board.
However, he also strongly opined that, "It would not be the case if Pakistan got to chase. Since they have to chase down a big total of around 160 within 13 overs, they should send in their aggressive batters like Fakhar Zaman at no. 3."
Saqlain Mushtaq said, "Farhan and Babar should open. In powerplay, Babar will play cricketing shots, his SR will be high".
— Salman. (@TsMeSalman) February 28, 2026
Muhammad Hafeez said, "I wouldn't rest Babar. He should play at 1 down, because he is a technically solid batsman".
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Pakistan National Cricket Team ICC T20 World Cup Pakistan vs Sri Lanka Mohammad Hafeez Babar Azam Umar Gul Saqlain MushtaqAbout the Author
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