Former England captain Michael Vaughan recently stated Pakistan batter Babar Azam is undroppable from the national team due to internal "politics." Vaughan also praised Pakistan head coach Mike Hesson for his strategic approach, calling Babar an "insurance policy" within the squad during the ongoing T20 World Cup 2026. These comments followed Babar's struggling performance in a Super 8 fixture against England, where his strike rate reached a historic low in the tournament.
Vaughan Highlights Political Influence
Michael Vaughan shared his views on Babar Azam's consistent inclusion in the Pakistan team, suggesting factors beyond pure cricketing merit are at play. Speaking on Cricbuzz, Vaughan expressed admiration for overseas coaches working in Pakistan, acknowledging the "complexities" they face. "I admire overseas coaches that go and coach in Pakistan because I can only imagine what's going on," Vaughan said.He believes Babar Azam's presence in the playing XI is a result of these political and structural realities within the team setup.[hindustantimes+5]
Vaughan specifically praised Mike Hesson for handling the situation "brilliantly."He explained that Hesson "clearly has to play Babar Azam" and is therefore using him strategically.The former England skipper called this an "insurance policy," meaning Babar comes in at number four if two early wickets fall, providing stability to the innings.Vaughan indicated that this approach, while politically astute, might not offer Pakistan the best chance to win the World Cup.[hindustantimes+16]
Babar Azam's Recent Form and Role
Babar Azam's performance has been under scrutiny, especially after his recent outing against England. In that Super 8 match, Babar scored 25 runs from 24 balls while batting at number four, achieving a strike rate of 104.16.This particular innings contributed to his overall T20 World Cup strike rate dropping to 111.5, which is now the lowest by any batter in the tournament's history for those with at least 75 runs.In the current T20 World Cup, Babar has accumulated 91 runs in six matches, averaging 22.75.[hindustantimes+10]
Despite these statistics, Vaughan believes Babar has a specific role, particularly on certain pitches. He noted that Babar is "absolutely perfect" for wickets in Sri Lanka, where scores typically range between 150 and 180 runs.Vaughan expects Babar to help Pakistan achieve scores of 160-170 in such conditions.However, Vaughan expressed doubt about Babar's ability to perform on high-scoring pitches, stating, "On a 200-day or a 210-day, Babar's not going to get you there. I just don't think he's that kind of player anymore."[hindustantimes+16]
Hesson's Strategic Vision for Pakistan Cricket
Mike Hesson's role as Pakistan's head coach involves navigating complex selection dynamics. Hesson has acknowledged his integral part in the selection panel, a shift from previous coaching setups where full-time coaches were excluded.This involvement allows him to shape the squad more directly. Hesson previously justified moving Babar Azam down the batting order, explaining that while Babar possesses valuable skills, other players are better suited for specific roles, particularly in the later stages of an innings.He mentioned that Babar himself recognizes this strategic adjustment.[geosuper+2]
Vaughan's remarks about the "politics" in Pakistan cricket underscore the unique challenges overseas coaches face. He openly stated, "I personally would never want to go and be an overseas coach in Pakistan," citing discussions with other coaches who have experienced the difficulties.This highlights Hesson's careful management of player roles, balancing team needs with external pressures. By positioning Babar as an "insurance policy," Hesson aims to stabilize the batting lineup while adapting to the team's broader objectives for the tournament.[hindustantimes+3]
The ongoing T20 World Cup 2026 continues to test Pakistan's strategy, with Babar Azam's role remaining a key point of discussion among cricket analysts and fans alike.
