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as 2026 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup speed up the pace, PakistanThe team’s campaign has sparked debate surrounding the form of their biggest batting star. After a bad start, Babar Azam finds himself under the scanner, but one of cricket’s sharpest minds believes the solution may be simpler than it seems. former australian captain Ricky Ponting A sober tactical assessment of what Pakistan can do to help Babar regain his rhythm at the top.
Babar Azam’s hesitant start raises questions
Pakistan narrowly beat Pakistan by three wickets to start their T20 World Cup journey NetherlandsBut the results did little to ease concerns about Babar’s touch. The right-hander bowled just 15 of 18 pitches, an innings that lacked the fluidity and timing usually associated with his batting. As Pakistan crossed the finish line, attention quickly shifted to whether their leading batsman was fully up to the demands of the shortest format.
The questions feel all the more acute given that Babar had shown encouraging signs just days earlier, scoring an unbeaten half-century against his rivals. Australia In the final T20I of the three-match series. The contrast between promise and struggle has defined his recent campaign, with Ponting believing the issue is more about pace than ability.
Ricky Ponting on Babar’s return to form
Ponting, who was speaking as an analyst during the match, said Babar may have lost a small part of his trademark timing at the crease. The Australian superstar said this is not unusual for top-order batsmen who rely heavily on positioning and timing rather than raw power.
Ponting feels Pakistan should help Babar by adjusting his role in the batting order rather than forcing shots or changing his natural way of playing. His main suggestion: Move Babar back to third, the position he has historically looked most comfortable in.
“I would even consider batting at third.” Ponting explained that early contact could work in Babar’s favour.
Ponting’s logic is rooted in T20 tactics. By batting early, Babar will get time against the new ball amid defensive constraints. Only two outfielders are allowed outside the circle during the power play, making it easier to find gaps, taking the pressure off clearing the ropes.
“I think the earlier he gets in, if he can get some time in the powerplay, I think it will help him because if he just loses a little bit of power, then you need everything going in your favor. So having just two fielders out will help him. The guys batting behind him have enough power anyway. They can take advantage of those mid-on overs with those spinners and fielders out,” Ponting noted, adding that Pakistan’s middle order has enough power batsmen to exploit late in the innings. In his view, protecting Babar from the tougher Super League squeeze could be counterproductive as he seeks fluidity.
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Ponting explains why T20 World Cup needs players like Babar
Perhaps the most powerful part of Ponting’s assessment is his faith in experience. The former Australia captain stressed that tournaments like the T20 World Cup are often decided by experienced players emerging at the right time. He pointed out that if the team wants to go deep, it needs to have its senior stars firing on all cylinders. For Pakistan, this means finding the best version of Babar as quickly as possible.
“I defended him at the start of the game… big players in big tournaments… experience, if you want to win, you need (those players) around you. If Pakistan wants to go far in this tournament, they need the best in Babar Azam,” Tasmanian legend explained.
