Former England captain Michael Vaughan believes Babar Azam remains undroppable in Pakistan’s T20 World Cup 2026 campaign due to political and structural realities within the team setup. However, he praised head coach Mike Hesson for strategically utilising the batter as an “insurance policy.”
Babar’s position in the playing XI has come under scrutiny following his performance in Pakistan’s Super 8 fixture against England, where he scored 25 off 24 balls at No. 4. His strike rate in T20 World Cup history has now dipped to 111.5 — the lowest among batters in the tournament’s history.
“Insurance Policy” in the Middle Order
Speaking on Cricbuzz, Vaughan said Hesson has handled the situation “brilliantly,” suggesting that Babar’s inclusion may not be purely tactical.
“He clearly has to play Babar Azam, and he’s using him as an insurance policy. You lose two wickets; he’s your insurance. He comes in at number four, and he can just play,” Vaughan said.
According to Vaughan, Babar’s role is to stabilise the innings rather than accelerate aggressively from the outset.
Suited to Sri Lankan Conditions
The former England skipper added that Babar’s method is well-suited to Sri Lankan conditions, particularly on surfaces offering moderate totals in the 150–180 range.
“In Sri Lanka, I think he’s absolutely perfect for those wickets… I think he’ll get Pakistan to a 160–170 score,” Vaughan noted.
However, he expressed doubts about Babar’s ability to dominate on high-scoring pitches. “On a 200-day or a 210-day, Babar’s not going to get you there,” he said.
Vaughan specifically referenced conditions in Pallekele, suggesting that a technically sound player capable of rotating strike against spin remains vital in such environments.
Tournament Numbers Under Spotlight
Babar’s overall T20 World Cup record now stands at 640 runs in 23 matches at an average of 33.68, including five half-centuries. His strike rate of 111.5 is currently lower than several prominent batters in tournament history.
In the ongoing T20 World Cup 2026, Babar has scored 91 runs in six matches at an average of 22.75, intensifying debate around his role in the side.
Management Handling “Perfectly”: Vaughan
Despite criticism, Vaughan reiterated that Pakistan’s team management has navigated the situation effectively.
“I admire the way that Mike Hesson has probably played the politics well… I think they’ve dealt with it perfectly,” he said, adding that overseas coaching assignments in Pakistan can present unique challenges.
As Pakistan continue their T20 World Cup 2026 campaign, Babar’s role as a stabilising presence in the middle order remains central to the team’s strategy — even as discussions around strike rate and adaptability continue.
