Ahmed Shahzad

“If he scores more than 30”- Former Pakistan cricketers joke about Babar Azam ahead of India match in T20 World Cup 2026

Thu, 12 Feb 2026 23:44:12 GMT

Pakistan batter Babar Azam is facing strong criticism from former cricketers before the big India-Pakistan match in the T20 World Cup 2026. Rashid Latif, Mohammad Amir, and Ahmed Shehzad have questioned his impact in the T20 format.

Many people are concerned about his strike rate and his record in high-pressure matches against India. These doubts have come up again after his average start in the tournament. Babar struggled in Pakistan’s first match against the Netherlands but showed slight improvement in the next game against the USA.

During a talk show, Ahmed Shehzad tried to make the situation lighter with a bold statement. He said he would give food to the entire audience if Babar plays a match-winning innings against India.

“If Babar Azam, God willing, wins the game for Pakistan, the treat is on me,” Shehzad said, as quoted by Odisha.tv.

Also read -Watch: Hardik Pandya smashes 109-meter longest six of T20 World Cup 2026 in IND vs NAM Clash

Amir Responds to Retirement Joke on Live Show

During the show, the host jokingly said that Mohammad Amir should come out of retirement if Babar Azam leads Pakistan to a win over India with a strike rate of 160 or more. Amir gave a careful reply. He said he would think about it, but only if Babar scores more than 30 runs in that match.

Babar’s Record and Team Performance

Babar’s record against India in T20Is is average. In five matches, he has scored 105 runs at an average of 26.25 and a strike rate of 128.05. His best knock came in the 2021 T20 World Cup when he scored 68 runs. After that innings, his scores against India in T20 World Cups have been 10, 14, 0, and 13.

In the current tournament, Pakistan first beat the Netherlands by three wickets. They then won by 32 runs against the USA. On the other hand, India started their campaign with a 29-run win over the USA. They will next face Namibia on February 12 at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi.

Top 5 batters with the highest individual scores in Men’s T20 World Cup history ft. Brendon McCullum

Tue, 27 Jan 2026 13:04:11 GMT

The 2026 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup will be held in India and Sri Lanka from February 7 to March 8. The tournament will feature 55 matches played across eight venues. Five venues will be in India, while three will be in Sri Lanka. A total of 20 teams will take part in the tournament. Scotland recently replaced Bangladesh after Bangladesh withdrew from the event.

The 20 teams have been divided into four groups, with five teams in each group. India and Pakistan are placed in Group A. Australia and Sri Lanka are in Group B. England and West Indies are part of Group C, while New Zealand and South Africa are in Group D. After the group stage, the tournament will move into the Super 8 round, followed by the knockout matches.

Over the nine editions of the Men’s T20 World Cup played so far, batters have delivered many outstanding performances. As the new edition approaches, we take a look back at the five highest individual scores in the history of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup.

Also read -Top 5 bowlers with the best bowling figures in men’s T20 World Cup history ft. Sam Curran

1. Brendon McCullum (123 off 58) vs Bangladesh – 2012

Former New Zealand captain Brendon McCullum holds the record for the highest individual score in Men’s T20 World Cup history. He scored 123 runs off 58 balls against Bangladesh at Pallekele in the 2012 tournament.

New Zealand were sent in to bat and scored 191 for 3 in 20 overs. Bangladesh were later restricted to 132 for 8, and New Zealand won the match by 59 runs. Batting at number three, McCullum hit 11 fours and seven sixes. He was dismissed on the final ball of the innings.

2. Chris Gayle (117 off 57) vs South Africa – 2007

West Indies legend Chris Gayle scored 117 runs off 57 balls against South Africa in Johannesburg in 2007. This was the first match of the Men’s T20 World Cup.

West Indies scored 205 for 6 after batting first. Gayle opened the innings and hit seven fours and ten sixes. He added 145 runs for the first wicket with Devon Smith. However, South Africa chased the target and won the match.

3. Alex Hales (116 off 64) vs Sri Lanka – 2014*

England batter Alex Hales played a match-winning knock against Sri Lanka in Chattogram during the 2014 T20 World Cup. He remained unbeaten on 116 runs from 64 balls.

England chased a target of 190 runs and won the match by six wickets. Hales hit 11 fours and six sixes. He shared a 150-run partnership with Eoin Morgan to guide England to victory.

4. Ahmed Shehzad (111 off 62) vs Bangladesh – 2014*

Pakistan batter Ahmed Shehzad scored an unbeaten 111 runs off 62 balls against Bangladesh in Mirpur during the 2014 T20 World Cup.

Pakistan batted first and scored 190 for 5. Bangladesh were restricted to 140 for 7, and Pakistan won by 50 runs. Shehzad opened the innings and hit ten fours and five sixes.

5. Rilee Rossouw (109 off 56) vs Bangladesh – 2022

South Africa batter Rilee Rossouw scored 109 runs off 56 balls against Bangladesh in Sydney in the 2022 T20 World Cup.

South Africa scored 205 for 5 after batting first. Bangladesh were bowled out for 101, and South Africa won the match by 104 runs. Rossouw batted at number three and hit seven fours and eight sixes.

[WATCH] Former Pakistan star comments on Babar Azam's failure during WI vs PAK 2025 ODI series

Wed, 13 Aug 2025 11:49:19 GMT

The former Pakistan opening batter, Ahmed Shahzad, has again mocked the ODI performance of the former captain, Babar Azam, during the three-match ODI series against West Indies at the Brian Lara Stadium, where the veteran failed terribly, which resulted in their first 50-over series defeat against this opposition in 34 years.

Shehzad reckoned that the trend of comparing batters with the modern-day great, Virat Kohli, should stop immediately. His comments came after Babar made just 56 runs in the three innings. Out of these, his first knock saw him getting 47 runs along with a duck in the second encounter at Tarouba against the West Indies. Shehzad felt that many batters can’t handle the pressure as Kohli does.

“When everything was going well, you were running campaigns comparing players. Now that the performances are not coming, you are saying, ‘Don’t compare two players. ’ Why not? Virat Kohli’s comparison cannot be made with anyone in the world. He is a legend of this generation, a role model.” The former Pakistan opening batter expressed as the video went viral.

Watch: Ahmed Shahzad mocks Babar Azam’s failure during WI vs PAK 2025 ODI series

It has been a tough period for Babar in the ODI formats as he has now gone 72 consecutive innings without a century. His last hundred came against Nepal during the home fixture of the Asia Cup 20223. No other cricketer has endured a longer drought without a century since 2023. Shahzad also refused to compare MS Dhoni with Virat Kohli.

Ahmad shahzad on babar AZAM performance against westindies #BabarAzam #BabarAzam𓃵 #PakvsWI #WIvsPAK pic.twitter.com/lWphZhsrfB
— Altamash Iqbal (@altamashi25) August 12, 2025

“You cannot compare him even with MS Dhoni. Dhoni may have been a great captain, but as a batter, cricketer, and athlete, Kohli stands alone. No one should be compared with anyone because it’s unfair and it adds extra pressure, which we are now seeing on Babar Azam.” The former opening batter shed light.

There were so many expectations from the batter during their 295-run chase in the last 50-over clash, especially when they lost two early wickets in the second innings. But Babar ended with just nine runs in 23 balls after being trapped leg before the stumps on the bowling of Jaydan Seales. As a team, the Green Brigade suffered a huge 202-run defeat.