Babar Azam's T20 World Cup selection backed by Pakistan chief selector but probe launched for two names

Pakistan chief selector Aaqib Javed defended the selection of an out-of-form Babar Azam for the 2026 T20 World Cup even though he said that the selection committee is looking for answers for the selection of two other players.

Pakistan had an ordinary run at the recent T20 World Cup where they could not go past the Super 8s stage. Led by Salman Ali Agha, Pakistan defeated the Namibia and USA with ease but suffered defeats at the hands of India and England. They were also run close by Sri Lanka and Netherlands. With no wins against big teams, the selection, especially of Azam, was questioned but Javed has explained the rationale of the choice.

Javed puts onus on captain and coach

Javed explained that Azam was selected because of his technical proficiency as conditions in Sri Lanka demanded such a batter. However, he put the onus on captain Agha and head coach Mike Hesson on how the duo could have better utilised Azam.

"Being in the 15 does not mean he had to play every match. The coach and captain had the freedom to use him where conditions demanded a technically sound batsman,” Javed said at a press conference.

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The ace Pakistani batter is currently out of the ongoing series against Bangladesh due to a finger injury and Javed said that the extent of the injury is to be known.

“If we had reached the semi-finals, would he even have been fit to play? That is what we need to find out.”

Probe launched over Fakhar, Naseem injuries

The Pakistan Cricket Board has launched formal enquires into the injuries of batter Fakhar Zaman and pacer Naseem Shah who have both been injured since Pakistan were eliminated from the T20 World Cup. The selection committee wants to know if the duo was even fully fit for the tournament.

“We are asking how it is possible that two players were injured right after the World Cup ended. That information should have reached us,” Javed said.

The chief selector also urged fans to not demand wholesale changes after every tournament. He said that teams that do well stick with their core for a longer time.

“Look at any team that wins consistently — their core barely changes across two or three years. Our problem is we want a new team, a new coach, new selectors and a new chairman after every loss. No factory can produce international cricketers that fast,” said Javed.