Pakistan coach Mike Hesson says Babar Azam's demotion and Shaheen Afridi's omission after India defeat were tactical moves ahead of T20 World Cup Super 8.
With Sunday's big clash against arch-rivals India coming up, fans and critics alike are left wondering- can Babar deliver when it really matters?
Babar Azam's first Big Bash League stint ended early as the Pakistan star returned home before Sydney Sixers' eliminator after an underwhelming season.
Pakistan is set to drop senior players Babar Azam and Shaheen Shah Afridi from their next T20 World Cup match against Namibia after the duo's failure to come good in the high-stakes game against India in Colombo, a reliable source in the team management said on Monday.
Shadab Khan defends Pakistan's team selections and strategy in the T20 World Cup, emphasising the importance of clear communication and adaptability.
A fine half-century from Babar Azam and a three-wicket haul by pacer Sean Abbott helped Sydney Sixers seal a six-wicket win over Melbourne Renegades during their Big Bash League (BBL) New Year's clash on Thursday.
With the 2026 T20 World Cup fast approaching, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has opted for a bold shake-up, dropping marquee players such as Babar Azam and Shaheen Afridi from the T20I squad for the Sri Lanka series.
Pakistan submit provisional World T20 Cup squad to ICC, announcement awaited.
Babar broke a streak of 807 days and 83 international innings without a century last week when he scored a hundred against Sri Lanka in the ODI series in Rawalpindi.
Following Pakistan's defeat to India in a T20 World Cup match, former players are calling for significant changes in the team, including the removal of Babar Azam and other senior players.
Pakistan batting star Babar Azam was fined 10 per cent of his match fee and handed a demerit point for hitting the stumps with his bat after being dismissed in the third ODI against Sri Lanka in Rawalpindi.
Pakistan batter Sahibzada Farhan created history in Pallekele on Thursday, surpassing batting great Virat Kohli for most runs in a single edition of the T20 World Cup.
Pakistan's cricket fraternity expresses disappointment over the national team's performance in the T20 World Cup, with former players calling for radical decisions and criticizing player selection and performance.
New Zealand's middle-order faces a stern test against Pakistan's spin attack in their T20 World Cup Super Eight Group 2 match. The ability of the Kiwi batters to counter the spin will be crucial for their success.
A look at five possible mouth-watering match-ups in the upcoming India vs Pakistan T20 World Cup in Colombo on Sunday.
Axar Patel's tactical brilliance and key strikes, including Usman Khan and Babar Azam, proved decisive in India's win over Pakistan in the T20 World Cup.
Pakistan's chances of reaching the T20 World Cup semifinals depend on a dominant win against Sri Lanka and a significant victory for England against New Zealand. The team's batting woes and reliance on individual performances pose a challenge.
Former Pakistan pacer Umar Gul terms Hardik Pandya India's biggest threat ahead of the T20 World Cup 2026 clash in Colombo but tips Pakistan to edge the high-pressure contest.
Pakistan's veteran batter Babar Azam surpassed Rohit Sharma's world record for the most runs by a batter in T20 Internationals.
Tensions flared in the dugout as Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha was seen in a heated exchange with head coach Mike Hesson during their must-win T20 World Cup clash against Namibia at the Sinhalese Sports Club Cricket Ground on Wednesday.
Sahibzada Farhan's explosive half-century and a clinical showing by the spinners lifted Pakistan to a convincing 32-run win over the United States of America.
Former captain Babar Azam and pacer Naseem Shah have been recalled to Pakistan's T20 squad for the upcoming home assignment against South Africa and a tri-Series involving Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe next month.
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is considering financial penalties for players following the team's disappointing performance and early exit from the T20 World Cup.
Pakistan is expected to field four specialist bowlers, including two spinners and two pacers, in their crucial T20 World Cup match against India in Colombo.
The teenager, who attempted to break into the Pakistan dressing room balcony after breaching the security barriers at the Gaddafi stadium in a bid to meet with his hero Babar Azam, has been released from custody by the police after a reprimand.
Pakistan's mystery spinner Usman Tariq has no qualms in admitting that he returned to cricket after getting inspired by the legendary Mahendra Singh Dhoni.
Pakistan, after a defeat against India, face Namibia in a must-win match to qualify for the Super 8s. Their fragile batting and Shaheen Afridi's form are key concerns, while Namibia aims to play spoiler.
Pakistan steamrollered Australia by 111 runs in the final Twenty20 International to complete a 3-0 series sweep on Sunday, signalling their preparedness for the upcoming Twenty20 World Cup.
Pakistan captain Salman Agha and Australia skipper Mitchell Marsh were spotted on a tuk-tuk ride near Gaddafi Stadium ahead of the T20I series opener in Lahore, triggering mixed reactions on social media.
Defending champions India thumped Pakistan by 61 runs in a grudge Group A match of the T20 World Cup to secure their place in the Super 8s, in Colombo, on Sunday.
Skipper Harry Brook played the most defining innings of his T20 career, smashing a 51-ball 100 to propel England into the semi-finals of the T20 World Cup.
Shaheen Shah Afridi returns from injury and Babar Azam is recalled as Pakistan name their T20 squad for the home series against Australia in Lahore.
Pakistan will be looking to avenge the defeat to the USA in the 2024 T20 World Cup when they clash in Colombo on Tuesday.
After veiled boycott threat, Pakistan name 15-member squad for T20 World Cup.
Pakistan's T20 World Cup campaign ended in disappointment despite a win against Sri Lanka, with captain Salman Agha citing batting failures and dew as contributing factors. Sahibzada Farhan's century was not enough to secure a semifinal spot as New Zealand qualified on net run rate.
Former all-format captain Babar Azam is being tipped to make a comeback to Pakistan T20 squad while speculations are rife about the PCB deciding to replace Muhammad Rizwan as the captain of the one-day side.
India and Pakistan clash in a highly anticipated T20 World Cup match. India needs middle-order stability and a fit Abhishek Sharma, while Pakistan's spin attack poses a threat. The weather forecast predicts a high chance of rain.
The spotlight is on mystery spinners like Varun Chakravarthy and Usman Tariq, who could exploit the Premadasa Stadium's testing pitch during the India vs Pakistan T20 World Cup on Sunday.
England and Pakistan lock horns in a crucial T20 World Cup Super Eights clash in Pallekele, as Brook's side eye momentum while Pakistan seek comeback.
Waqar Younis says Pakistan lost the T20 World Cup clash once India posted 175, criticising tactical errors and praising Suryakumar Yadav's leadership in the 61-run win.
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