Pakistan's superstar batter Babar Azam is once again under fire following Pakistan’s two-wicket defeat to England in their Super 8 clash of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 in Pallekele on Tuesday. With Pakistan’s semi-final hopes now hanging by a thread, criticism around Babar’s form and role in the playing XI has intensified.
Babar, who remains the highest run-scorer in T20I history, has endured a devastating lean patch. In six matches at the 2026 edition, Babar has scored 91 runs at a strike rate of 112.34. Against England, Pakistan needed acceleration in the middle overs, but Babar’s innings failed to provide stability. Batting in a crucial Super 8 match, he managed 25 off 24 balls before being bowled by England pacer Jamie Overton. Commenting on Babar's form, the former Pakistan all-rounder did not hold back in his criticism of Babar, calling Babar's dismissal criminal.
“How many games are you going to mess up like this? After facing 24 balls, if you get out in that fashion… it’s criminal. You are such a senior player. We saw this against India as well. We don’t have any personal agenda against him, but I’m curious what happens in team meetings. Does he raise his hand and accept it?" Imad Wasim said while speaking on a TV show as quoted by Hindustan Times.
Imad Wasim further stressed that barring Babar's 2019 World Cup knock, he has not played any impactful innings for the team.
“Shahibzada was also playing, and yes, he is the man in form and he opens as well. But Babar came in the fourth over, not the 11th. When will he help us win a game like Harry Brook does? When will he make an impact in big World Cup matches? Apart from that 2019 World Cup knock against New Zealand and the one against India in the 2021 T20 World Cup, tell me one impactful innings. You make him open, bat at No. 3, then No. 4, but then what?” he asked.