Decline of Babar Azam: Once touted as generational talent, now a burden
Times of India
by PRATYUSH RAJFebruary 24, 2026
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Babar Azam, once celebrated as a generational talent in cricket, is currently facing significant criticism for his declining performance, particularly in the T20 format. Despite being Pakistan's leading run-scorer in T20Is with 4,571 runs and an impressive record of 39 half-centuries and three hundreds, his strike rate has dropped to 128.18, the lowest among batters with at least 3,500 runs. This decline has raised questions about his ability to maintain his status as a key player for Pakistan.
The article highlights Babar's struggles in recent tournaments, including the T20 World Cup and the Asia Cup. He has not hit a six since Pakistan's match against India in Dubai in 2021. His performance in the Big Bash League (BBL) was particularly poor, scoring only 202 runs in 11 innings for the Sydney Sixers at a strike rate of 103.06. This led to intense debates about his inclusion in the T20 World Cup squad. Despite being brought back into the team after Pakistan's loss to India, Babar's role has been redefined, with coach Mike Hesson emphasizing that he is now seen as a stabilizing force rather than a power player.
Babar's leadership within the team remains intact, but his aura has diminished due to his inability to
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Originally published on Times of India on 2/24/2026