Michael Vaughan questioned Babar Azam’s credentials as a T20 batter after Pakistan crashed out of the T20 World Cup in the group stage.
Pakistan suffered an early exit from the ongoing T20 World Cup after the USA’s group-stage fixture against Ireland in Florida was washed out due to inclement weather. A shock loss against the co-hosts, followed by a demoralising defeat against India, had put them in trouble. Despite having a match left against Ireland, they won’t be able to match the points tally of either India or USA, both of whom have advanced to the Super Eights from Group A.
Speaking to Cricbuzz, Vaughan criticised the 2022 runners-up for their lacklustre performance, questioning their credentials as a white-ball team: "They can't blame the weather. They should have beaten US and India. If they did, they would have been through to the Super Eights. I just don’t see Pakistan at the moment as a great white-ball team."
He added: "Even when they went to the final in the last (T20) World Cup, I didn’t think they were a great side. They just did what Pakistan do. I’ve said earlier that they should have won that game [in the final] against England."
Vaughan also doubted Pakistan's “skill set” in T20Is, including Babar's abilities in the format. Babar has only managed 91 runs from three matches so far at the T20 World Cup at a strike rate of 104.65.
"I don’t think they have the skill set of what I’ve seen in the past from Pakistan cricket in T20 cricket. I honestly don’t think they’ve got many great T20 players," Vaughan said. "Babar Azam is exceptional, but would he make England’s, Australia’s, India’s, or the West Indies’ T20 teams? Probably not."
The former England captain feels Pakistan don't have the mental resilience to beat India, to whom they have lost seven out of eight times in the T20 World Cup or World T20. In 2024 against India, Pakistan had the match well under their control, needing 40 off 36 balls with seven wickets left. But they lost momentum thereafter as some disciplined bowling from India resulted in the match slipping away from their hands.
"Mentally, they have no clue how to beat India. That’s true. I could see it in the chase. They should have absolutely strolled that game. There’s only one winner because India knows how to win and they have the mentality to get over the line, and for whatever reason, Pakistan just doesn’t seem to have that kind of swagger."
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