Pakistan’s Babar Azam during a training session ahead of the ICC T20 World Cup 2026 cricket match between India and Pakistan at the R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo, Sri Lanka. (PTI Photo) Pakistan batsman Babar Azam has drawn fresh criticism online during his team’s Group A match against the Namibian national cricket team at the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 in Colombo after he was not given a chance to bat. The veteran batsman, long regarded as one of Pakistan’s leading run-scorers, has struggled for form in the competition. On X and other platforms, fans questioned why he didn’t make the cut even though opportunities could have come earlier in the tournament.The 31-year-old was initially selected as a fail-safe option. He was expected to anchor the innings at number four and steady the side if wickets fell, an area where Pakistan have faced problems in the past.However, he did not play that role effectively against the Netherlands and India as Pakistan’s batting collapsed. In the must-win game against Namibia, Pakistan got off to a good start and the team management – including coach Mike Hesson and captain Salman Ali Agha – decided to send more aggressive batting in front of them.Pakistan lost their second wicket, captain Agha, in the 13th over. Instead of sending Babar at number four, Khawaja Nafay was promoted. Even after Nafay managed only 5 off 5 balls, Babar was still not sent out. Shadab Khan instead joined Sahibzada Farhan in the middle.Online reaction was swift, with users posting memes, questions and criticizing his lack of runs and Pakistan’s batting approach.“Was Babar Azam played to destroy the team?” asked one viewer.Another user edited the famous “depression mein hain” video using Babar’s voice after it was demoted.A third user wrote on X: “I think babar azam is promoted as a finisher.”In that match, Pakistan rode on Sahibzad Farhan’s scintillating maiden hundred and a brilliant performance from their spinners to beat Namibia by a handsome margin of 102 runs to enter the Super Eights of the T20 World Cup on Wednesday.
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