Pakistan cricket fans have voiced strong criticism over the inclusion of star batter Babar Azam in the national squad for the upcoming T20 World Cup 2026, co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka from February 7 to March 8. Placed in Group A alongside India, the USA, Namibia, and the Netherlands, Pakistan’s 15-man squad is led by all-rounder Salman Ali Agha.

Despite Babar’s past pedigree, social media users questioned the logic of selecting him following a series of underwhelming performances in the Big Bash League (BBL). Many highlighted that promising talents like Hasan Nawaz were overlooked, while experienced players with limited recent form, including Fakhar Zaman, Usman, and Salman Agha, were retained.

On platforms like Twitter, fans expressed frustration over Pakistan relying on "anchors" in the batting lineup. Comments ranged from calling Babar “arguably the luckiest cricketer” to lamenting that the squad resembled a “museum of anchors,” reflecting concern over the team’s ability to chase T20 targets efficiently.

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Others criticized the PCB for sticking to veteran players despite their poor returns, emphasizing that match-winning performances from Shadab Khan, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Abrar Ahmed, and Sahibzada Farhan would be crucial for any success. Many users suggested that fresh blood like Hasan Nawaz could have added balance and dynamism to the squad.

This backlash comes amid ongoing debate over Pakistan’s team strategy, with fans questioning whether the reliance on experienced yet inconsistent players could hinder the team’s performance against stronger opponents such as India and the Netherlands.

As Pakistan prepares for the T20 World Cup, the spotlight will now shift to how these selections perform on the field and whether Babar Azam can silence critics with impactful innings in the marquee event.

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