Cricket Legend R Ashwin Unleashes Scathing Critique on Babar Azam After T20 World Cup Debacle Against India
The cricketing world was left stunned after Pakistan's lackluster performance against arch-rivals India in the T20 World Cup 2026, and former Indian spinner R Ashwin didn't hold back in his assessment of Babar Azam's role in the defeat. But here's where it gets controversial... Was Babar's dismissal a mere blip, or does it expose a deeper flaw in his gameplay? Let's dive in.
During the group stage match in Colombo, Babar managed a meager 5 runs off 7 deliveries before being outfoxed by Axar Patel's flatter delivery. His attempt at an aggressive shot ended in disaster as the ball crashed into his stumps. And this is the part most people miss... Ashwin, in a candid YouTube analysis, pointed out that Babar's recent performances have shown little to no evolution in his technique. He drew parallels to Babar's dismissal in the 2024 match against the USA, where a similar shot led to his downfall. Ashwin emphasized, 'As an international cricketer, if you identify a weakness, you must address it. Babar hasn’t adapted his game at all. If he continues this way, he’ll keep falling to the same mistakes.'
Controversy Alert: While some fans argue that Babar is under immense pressure and deserves more time to adjust, Ashwin's critique raises a valid question: Can a player of Babar's caliber afford to ignore such glaring vulnerabilities on the global stage?
Meanwhile, former Pakistan captain Waqar Younis shed light on Pakistan's tactical blunders during the 61-run loss. He highlighted that the match slipped away once India posted a daunting 175 on the board. Waqar noted Pakistan's poor bowling strategy, particularly their failure to capitalize on the spinning conditions as effectively as India did. 'The game was lost in the first innings,' Waqar told Star Sports. 'India’s total was just too much, and Pakistan’s bowlers didn’t use the spin as cleverly as Suryakumar Yadav and his team did.'
India’s victory, fueled by Ishan Kishan’s blistering 77 off 40 balls, secured their spot in the Super 8 stage. Pakistan, on the other hand, now face a must-win situation against Namibia in their final Group A fixture to keep their qualification hopes alive.
Food for Thought: Is Babar Azam’s struggle a temporary slump, or does it signal a need for a complete overhaul in his approach? And how much responsibility lies with Pakistan’s coaching staff for not addressing these issues sooner? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below—this debate is far from over!
