As Pakistan’sT20 World Cup 2026campaign hangs in the balance, former England skipperMichael Vaughanweighed in on the controversial spot ofBabar Azamin the playing XI. Babar has struggled for runs in the current tournament, accumulating just91 runs in six inningswith a modest strike rate — well below what is expected of the former captain.
Speaking onCricbuzz Live, Vaughan suggested thatteam politics and structural realities within Pakistan crickethave made Babar “undroppable” despite mounting criticism of his form. Vaughan praised Pakistan head coachMike Hessonfor managing the situation wisely by using Babar as a kind of“insurance policy”at No. 4 — a stabiliser who can steady Pakistan’s innings when early wickets fall.
“He clearly has to play Babar Azam, and he’s using him as insurance — you lose two wickets, he comes in and can just play,” Vaughan said, acknowledging the delicate balance Hesson is managing between performance and internal expectations. He also noted that Babar’s technique might suitslower Sri Lankan pitchesin this tournament, where totals have generally been in the 150–180 range.
While some commentators believe dropping Babar might improve Pakistan’s chances in high-scoring matches, Vaughan’s view reflects how team dynamics — including leadership stature and fan expectations — can influence selection in major tournaments like the T20 World Cup.
