Pakistan will start their ICC Men’s T20 World Cup journey against the Netherlands on Saturday, entering the tournament with strong confidence after a recent 3-0 victory over Australia in a T20I series. This success has boosted the team’s morale and belief.
As preparations for the World Cup progress, Pakistan appears ready for battle. Their bowling unit is performing well in Sri Lankan conditions, which typically feature slower pitches and spin. The team has a balanced composition with two strengths and one weakness.
Batsmen Salman Agha, Sahibzada Farhan, and Saim Ayub have been successful, while Babar Azam and Fakhar Zaman have not lived up to expectations.
Salman Agha Sends Clear Message Before Netherlands Match
Captain Salman Agha expressed confidence in making player selections for future matches, addressing the status of Babar Azam and Fakhar Zaman. During the press conference, he stated that his choices would not be influenced by reputation.
Salman Agha said:
“We will play the best combination. If Fakhar and Babar don’t fit into it, then we will not include them.”
This statement emphasizes that performance and team balance will take precedence as Pakistan aims for a strong start in the World Cup.
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Fakhar Under Growing Pressure
Fakhar Zaman, now 35, has had difficulty maintaining consistency in T20 Cricket. His once-powerful aggressive style has hampered Pakistan’s innings lately. In 2025, he played 22 matches, scoring 512 runs at an average of 28.44 with a strike rate of 127.68.
His performance worsened in 2026, where he managed only 25 runs in three matches, with a low strike rate of 75.76—far below what is expected in T20 cricket.
Babar Azam’s Strike Rate Remains a Concern
Babar Azam’s situation is also concerning. While his technique is solid, his strike rate has been a topic of discussion in T20Is.
Babar played eight matches in 2025, scoring 206 runs at a strike rate of 114.44. His strike rate improved to 124.59 in 2026, but it still does not meet the aggressive expectations for opening batsmen in T20 cricket.
Pakistan needs rapid runs, particularly in T20 where strong starts and continuous pressure on bowlers are crucial.
Possible Replacements If Changes Are Made
If management chooses to bench one or both senior batsmen, several players are ready to step in.
Should Babar Azam be dropped, an all-rounder may be brought in to enhance the batting lineup and bowling options, maximizing effectiveness on spin-friendly Sri Lankan pitches.
Khawaja Nafay is set to replace Fakhar Zaman if needed. The young batsman was selected for the World Cup with future performances in mind and is seen as a potential middle-order player.
Nafay has showcased better skills than Fakhar, effectively rotating the strike and handling spin, allowing for quicker scoring during middle overs and helping to address balance issues.
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Selection Call Could Define Pakistan’s Campaign
The selection process is a key focus for Pakistan as they prepare for the Netherlands. Salman Agha’s message indicates that no positions are guaranteed.
Pakistan’s path in the T20 World Cup will hinge on their choice between experienced players or those who currently demonstrate better performance.
