Australian legend Ricky Ponting and former Indian head coach Ravi Shastri have shared their views on Babar Azam’s recent struggles, giving thoughtful perspectives on the superstar performer. Babar’s latest outing at the ongoing T20 World Cup 2026 opener gave a peek into his current dilemma. Chasing a modest target against the Netherlands, Pakistan secured a three-wicket win, but Babar Azam endured an uncomfortable stay at the crease. He managed 15 off 18 deliveries, showing an unusual hesitation in his performance. Despite the result going in Pakistan’s favour, Babar’s innings sparked talk around his form and role in the shortest format. Former Australia captain Ricky Ponting believes the issue is not a lack of skill but a consistent decline of timing.
“If you're 15 off 18 balls, you're not just putting pressure on yourself, you're putting pressure on the guy at the other end,” Ponting said on the ICC Review.
“The guy at the other end then knows that he's got to be the one to take up the boundary scoring. Babar needs to hit boundaries early on. He needs to get off and going, he needs two boundaries in his first six balls, otherwise the whole momentum of the game is going to change every time he goes in.”
The former India coach Ravi Shastri, echoing Ponting's sentiments, feels that Babar’s stature in world cricket may be contributing to the problem.
“When you are at that stage of your career, there's baggage,” said Shastri.
“There's a weight of expectation. People expect you to go out there and deliver. Get out there (and) in your first five balls, I don't care if you get out, but I want you to make an effort to hit a couple of boundaries. Choose your spot, get into good positions, anticipate what the bowler is doing. You will feel a lot better and things might change," Shastri said.
In Pakistan's opening match against the Netherlands at the T20I World Cup, Babar Azam batted at no. 4, which, according to Ponting, is adding to the pressure. Ponting further stressed that Pakistan need Babar to be at his best if they are to go further in the tournament.
“It just to me looks like he's lost a bit of his power, his ball striking ability, like taking that spinner on the way he did and not being able to even go close to clearing it,” Ponting said.
“I defended him at the start of the tournament … a big name player in a big events … experience, you need (those players) in your side if you're going to win. Pakistan need the best version of Babar Azam if they're going to go further in this tournament," Ponting noted.