‘He’s lost a bit of strength’: Ponting, Shastri on why Babar Azam stands at crossroads for T20 World Cup | Cricket News
New Delhi: Babar AzamA rocky start to the 2026 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup has sparked a rare, in-depth debate featuring two of its most respected voices – Ricky Ponting and Ravi Shastri – Openly questioned Pakistan’s use of their leading batsman and the pressure around him.Push boundaries with our YouTube channel.Subscribe now! Pakistan started their season with a wicket win over the Netherlands, but Babar was successful in other areas as he scored 15 off 18 balls at fourth. While the former captain produced an unbeaten half-century against Australia in the T20I final ahead of the World Cup, Ponting feels something fundamental has fallen off.
“If you take 15 off 18 balls, you not only put pressure on yourself but also on the guy at the other end,” Ponting told ICC Review. “Babar needs to break the line early. He needs to get off the ball and keep going…otherwise every time he comes on, the whole momentum of the game changes.”Ponting further suggested that Babar might have lost some of his signature power in the middle of the order. “It seemed to me that he had lost some power, lost his ability to hit the ball,” he said, noting that the failure to attempt spin was a worrying sign. While defending Babar’s value as a big-match player, Ponting made it clear: “Pakistan need the best in Babar Azam if they want to go far in this tournament.”
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Shastri echoed these concerns but framed them around expectations and reputation. “When you are at that stage of your career, there is baggage,” Shastri said. “Expectations are high. People expect you to go out and deliver results.” He urges a more fearless approach, even at the cost of early dismissal. “In your first five balls… try to push some boundaries. You’ll feel better and things may change.“Both experts also raised questions about Babar’s current role. Ponting floated the idea of pushing him back to third. “The sooner he gets in… having only two fielders out will help him,” he said, adding that Pakistan’s power batsmen can dominate later on.However, the most dramatic note came when the choice itself was presented. “They have a big decision to make whether he stays or leaves him out,” Ponting said, while Shastri warned that “questions will be asked.”With Pakistan set to take on the United States in Colombo on February 10, Babar finds himself in a defining moment.
