Babar, Salman, and Saim: A ‘Statistical Look’ at Pakistan’s batting collapse
By Nawaz Gohar ; The conclusion of Pakistan’s T20 World Cup campaign has left the reputations of the team’s “so-called superstars” in tatters. As the squad exits at the Super 8 stage, a detailed review of individual performances reveals a systemic failure among the senior core, with Babar Azam, Salman Ali Agha, and Saim Ayub failing miserably to anchor the batting lineup.
Among the most disappointing was Babar Azam, who entered the tournament as the focal point of the nation’s hopes. Instead, he became a symbol of the team’s struggles, managing a meager 91 runs across four innings in six matches. His average of 22.75 was far below the standard expected of a world-class batsman.
The leadership group fared no better. Salman Ali Agha, who also struggled with the pressures of captaincy, averaged a dismal 10.00, accumulating just 60 runs throughout the tournament.
His highest score was a modest 38, and he contributed only a single wicket with the ball. Similarly, young opener Saim Ayub failed to justify his selection, scoring a total of 70 runs in five innings at an average of 14.00. His inconsistent form eventually led to him being dropped for the final Super 8 fixture against Sri Lanka.
The bowling department also faced heavy criticism. Shaheen Shah Afridi failed to live up to his reputation as a strike bowler, while all-rounders Shadab Khan and Faheem Ashraf were unable to justify their positions in the playing XI, failing to provide the necessary balance with either bat or ball.
Amidst the wreckage of the campaign, there were few bright spots. Opener Sahibzada Farhan was largely successful in fulfilling his responsibilities at the top of the order, providing some stability to an otherwise fragile lineup. On the bowling front, Usman Tariq emerged as the standout performer, finishing as the team’s leading wicket-taker with 10 scalps.
However, these isolated successes were not enough to mask the failure of the senior stars, whose inability to perform on the global stage has prompted calls for a major overhaul of the national side.
