Pakistan will face England in Pallekele in a must-win Super 8 clash of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026. After winning three matches in the group stage and suffering a defeat to arch-rivals India, Pakistan saw their opening Super 8 fixture against New Zealand washed out due to rain. With limited margin for error, the upcoming encounter has become crucial.
However, the spotlight remains firmly on Babar Azam. In the previous match against Namibia, Pakistan surprisingly promoted Khawaja Nafay and Shadab Khan ahead of Babar, fuelling speculation about his role in the side. Questions are now being raised about whether the team management could consider dropping the former captain altogether.
Former cricketers have openly called for bold decisions. During a live show, Shahid Afridi said, “Drop Shaheen, drop Shadab, and drop Babar. Try fresh faces against Namibia and give new players a chance to build confidence. They’ve been playing for a long time. Whenever we expect them to perform, they don’t.”
Babar’s recent form has added to the scrutiny. He has managed scores of 15, 46 and 5 in three outings so far. Even his 46 against the USA lacked fluency, and concerns over his strike rate continue to grow. The right-hander has struggled to accelerate and rotate strike effectively — a critical requirement in T20 cricket.
With their Super 8 opener washed out, Pakistan can ill afford another slip-up. Whether the management backs their experienced campaigner or opts for a bold reshuffle could significantly shape their campaign moving forward.
