Michael Vaughan reveals why Babar Azam remains undroppable despite poor T20 World Cup 2026 form

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During a critical evaluation of Pakistan‘s underwhelming T20 World Cup 2026 campaign, former England captain Michael Vaughan provided a candid perspective on why Babar Azam remains a permanent fixture in the lineup despite his statistical decline.

With the former skipper accumulating just 91 runs across six innings at a strike rate of 112.34, the pressure for his removal has reached a fever pitch. However, Vaughan argues that the intricate ‘institutional realities’ and internal power dynamics of Pakistan cricket make him impossible to bench, leaving head coach Mike Hesson with the monumental task of managing both the player’s ego and the team’s tactical needs simultaneously.

Vaughan emphasized that leading the Pakistan national team is as much about diplomacy as it is about cricket. He praised Hesson for his pragmatic approach to the ‘Babar problem,’ noting that the coach has successfully insulated the team from potential political fallout by repositioning Babar in the middle order. By slotting him at number four, Hesson has converted a mandatory selection into a strategic safety net, ensuring that even if the top order collapses, a high-profile ‘anchor’ is available to stabilize the innings, regardless of the criticism regarding his scoring rate.

“I admire overseas coaches who go and coach in Pakistan because I can only imagine what’s going on. But Babar Azam himself, I think Mike Hesson has dealt with it brilliantly because 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. I do admire the way that Mike Hesson has probably played politics well, and it probably doesn’t give you the best chance of winning the World Cup.” Vaughan said on Cricbuzz.

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Vaughan offered a detailed breakdown of Babar’s current technical limitations, suggesting that the batter’s game is no longer built for the modern, hyper-aggressive T20 era. While Babar remains a vital asset on the turning tracks of Pallekele, Sri Lanka, where a score of 160 is competitive, Vaughan warned that he lacks the explosive gears required to chase or set totals in excess of 200. The former captain believes Babar is now a specialist for “tough” wickets rather than a match-winner on “flat” decks, necessitating a support cast of power-hitters to compensate for his steady, low-risk approach.

“In Sri Lanka, I think he’s absolutely perfect for those wickets because Sri Lanka so far has been 150-180, and I think Babar’s in that range. I think he’ll get Pakistan to a 160-170 score. But on a 200-day or a 210-day, Babar’s not going to get you there. I just don’t think he’s that kind of player anymore. If he strikes at 125-130, that’s absolutely fine. You’ll need a cameo or two from two or three of the players around you, but I would want that consistent player in the middle of the innings.” Vaughan concluded.

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