Babar Azam's Struggles Spark Controversial Claims from Pakistani Journalist

Babar Azam's performance in the T20 World Cup 2026 has come under fire, leading to controversial claims from journalist Rauf Klasra, who suggested that an 'Indian pandit' might be responsible for his struggles. This assertion has sparked widespread ridicule on social media, with fans criticizing the reliance on superstition instead of focusing on cricketing techniques. As Pakistan's hopes of advancing to the semifinals dwindle, all eyes are on Babar to deliver a crucial performance against Sri Lanka.

By Narendra Chaudhary Feb 26, 2026, 00:02 IST

Babar Azam's Performance Under Fire

Pakistani journalist Rauf Klasra has made a shocking assertion regarding the poor performance of star batter Babar Azam during the ongoing T20 World Cup 2026. Following a disappointing 25-run innings in Pakistan's recent two-wicket loss to England at the Pallekale International Cricket Stadium in Kandy on February 24, Babar's form has come under intense scrutiny.

Throughout his 24-ball innings, Babar struggled, achieving a strike rate of just 104.17, which failed to provide the explosive start Pakistan required. His recent scores of 15, 46, 5, and 25 have resulted in a total of only 91 runs at an average of 22.75 across four innings.

Notably, Babar's strike rate of 111.49 is the lowest recorded in T20 World Cup history for players with over 500 runs, underscoring his underwhelming performance in the tournament.

Controversial Claims by Rauf Klasra

As Babar Azam's struggles have become a hot topic among former cricketers, Klasra stirred controversy by referencing an anecdote from Imran Khan's autobiography. He suggested that Babar's difficulties might be due to an 'Indian pandit' casting a spell on him, drawing a parallel to Zaheer Abbas, who allegedly attributed his struggles in India to a similar curse.

During a segment on a Pakistani news channel, Klasra expressed that Babar, like Abbas in the past, could be facing mental or external pressures that hinder his performance, and that the team may not always be receptive to advice on overcoming these challenges.

Social Media Backlash

Klasra's claims quickly attracted ridicule on social media platforms, particularly X (formerly Twitter), where fans and cricket enthusiasts mocked his 'spell' theory. Many users criticized the notion of blaming superstition for Babar's form, labeling it as irresponsible journalism and urging a focus on cricketing skills and techniques instead.

Comments ranged from calling the claims pure superstition to questioning the lack of accountability in performance analysis. Users expressed frustration over the tendency to resort to myths rather than addressing real issues like team selection and performance.

Pakistan's Semifinal Hopes Dwindle

Meanwhile, Pakistan's chances of advancing to the semifinals have been significantly jeopardized following New Zealand's decisive 61-run victory over Sri Lanka, which eliminated the co-hosts from contention. To keep their semifinal hopes alive, Pakistan must secure a substantial win against Sri Lanka while relying on England to defeat New Zealand.

Babar Azam will once again be in the spotlight as he aims to deliver a standout performance against Sri Lanka to help his team stay in the tournament.