Babar Azam Faces Criticism After Lackluster Performance Against England

Babar Azam faced backlash after a disappointing performance in the Super 8 match against England, scoring only 25 runs. His cousin, Umar Akmal, criticized him on social media, recalling his own impactful innings from the 2014 T20 World Cup. As Pakistan's chances of reaching the semi-finals hang in the balance, they need to win their next match against Sri Lanka and hope for favorable results in other games. The pressure is mounting as the tournament progresses.

By Narendra Chaudhary Feb 26, 2026, 20:49 IST

Babar Azam's Struggles in Super 8 Match

In the Super 8 match against England on February 24, Babar Azam struggled to make an impact, scoring only 25 runs off 24 deliveries. The Pakistani team, needing a swift and substantial contribution from their former captain after losing two wickets early, found his performance lacking. With a strike rate of 104.17, Babar managed just two boundaries during his innings, leading to significant criticism from fans and analysts alike.

Umar Akmal, Babar's cousin and former international player, took to social media to express his disappointment. He shared an Instagram story contrasting Babar's innings with his own memorable performance during the 2014 T20 World Cup, where he scored 94 runs off 54 balls, helping Pakistan secure a victory against Australia.

While Akmal's innings propelled Pakistan to a total of 191/5, leading to a 16-run victory, Babar's performance left the team under pressure. Pakistan managed to score 164 runs in their innings, but England chased down the target in just 19.1 overs, securing their place in the semi-finals of the ICC event.

Pakistan's Path to the Semi-Finals

Pakistan's chances of advancing to the semi-finals are now uncertain. They require England, led by Harry Brook, to defeat New Zealand in their final Super 8 match. Additionally, Pakistan must win their upcoming game against Sri Lanka. Net Run Rate (NRR) will also play a crucial role, as Pakistan needs to maintain a better NRR than New Zealand, who will qualify if they win against England on February 27. Pakistan's last match is scheduled for February 28.