PAK vs ENG T20 World Cup 2026 Super 8s: Babar Azam Achieves Unwanted Record, Enters List Of Batters With Lowest Strike Rate

PAK vs ENG T20 World Cup 2026 Super 8s: Pakistan's star batter Babar Azam has achieved an unwanted record of having the lowest strike rate in the history of the ongoing mega event in the Super 8s match against England on Tuesday. He had scored just 25 runs off 24 balls, in which he had hit two fours, and then was dismissed by Jamie Overton.

During this tournament, Babar has played in four of Pakistan's six matches so far and has scored 91 runs at an average of 22.75. Initially, he played as an opener, but was later pushed down to the No. 4 or No. 5 position.

He boasts of vast experience in the shortest format, having scored 4571 runs across 135 T20I matches, but his strike rate of 128.18 has been quite concerning.

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And his strike rate in the ongoing mega event is 111.5, which is the least in the history of this tournament.

Lowest Strike-Rate In T20 World Cups

111.5 – Babar Azam*

111.8 – Mohammed Hafeez

112.2 – Kumar Sangakkara

112.5 – Kane Williamson

113.0 – Mohammad Rizwan

Criticism Of Babar

Faf Du Plessis has emphasised that Babar Azam's strike rate doesn't align with the current demands of powerplay in a T20 match.

“Look, I think first of all, all great players evolve their careers at different points in their careers. So, someone like Babar, we have known him as one of the world’s best players for a very, very long time. I think the game of T20 cricket has moved so fast forward and towards strike rates that he’s found himself a little bit behind in terms of strike rates," Faf Du Plessis told ESPN Cricinfo.

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“Looking at him in the last couple of years and certainly in the power play, the game has moved too fast, too forward, to be at a 120 strike rate. Now you need to be 160-190-200 plus for you to maximise that first six overs," he said.

Shoaib Akhtar also said that Babar shouldn't play T20 cricket. “First, Babar should have decided that this format is not for him. Secondly, if you want Babar to play, you should ensure he plays in the first six overs itself. It’s very simple. This is no rocket science," Akhtar was quoted as saying on Game on Hai.