As Pakistan faced England in their high-stakes T20 World Cup 2026 Super 8 clash at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium on February 24, 2026, the spotlight was firmly on the struggling former captain.
Despite the batting conditions appearing favorable for a stabilization role, Babar Azam’s inability to shift gears has once again placed his T20I future under intense scrutiny. After their opening Super 8 fixture against New Zealand was washed out, Pakistan entered this game needing a statement performance, but instead, they faced a middle-order collapse that left fans and former cricketers questioning the team’s tactical core.
Babar Azam castled by Jamie Overton during PAK vs ENG Super 8 game
The highlight of Babar Azam’s ‘flop show’ was a laborous 25 runs off 24 balls, an innings that lacked the boundary-hitting intent required to counter England’s disciplined attack. Entering the crease after early blows, Babar attempted to ‘anchor’ the innings, yet he struggled to find the gaps, finding the boundary just twice off the pace of Jofra Archer before retreating into a shell against the spin of Adil Rashid and Liam Dawson.
The pressure finally reached a breaking point in the 11th over when Jamie Overton returned to the attack. Attempting a ‘nothing shot’ across the line to a delivery that demanded more respect, Babar was completely beaten as the ball crashed into the top of his off-stump. This dismissal at 73/3 sucked the momentum out of Pakistan’s innings just as they were looking to build a platform for a competitive total.
Here’s how fans reacted:
BABAR AZAM I AM SICKK OF YOUUU!!!! 😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭
— شاہ زیب بخاری (@iSyedShahzaibB) February 24, 2026
This team does not look having the intent to win.Once again poor team selection.Continuing to give opportunities to Saim is suicidal.Salman Agha does not even deserve to be in the team as a batsman and we have him as a captain.Babar Azam once again proved he is a bad choice for…
— Ali Mumtaz (@aliimumtaz) February 24, 2026
In bhojpuri commentary they are cooking Babar azam with words like ‘ fielder become lazy when babar is on strike’, ‘England is playing with 12 players’, ‘ Babar playing to increase his runs’, etc etc 😭😭
— Manjit🇳🇵 (@CricManjit) February 24, 2026
Pakistan has 11 players in the team. 10 plays for Pakistan, Babar Azam plays against Pakistan.
— Sunil The Cricketer (@1sInto2s) February 24, 2026
Good bye babar azam, i think it’s enough. Enough of chances and enough of everything.#PAKvENG #T20WorldCup2026 #Super8 #Cricket #MatchDay #CricketFans
— Nauman (@MNaumanFazal) February 24, 2026
Another shit T20 knock by King Babar Azam
— Gappistan Radio (@whyteknight07) February 24, 2026
– Babar misjudged the pace!!!!
— Asif Khan (@mak_asif) February 24, 2026
That should be the end of Babar Azam’s career.
— Sam Mathad (@sameermathad) February 24, 2026
Release Imran khan, arrest babar Azam https://t.co/9lMwRnWIQA
— Usman (@usmann_01) February 24, 2026
Aik tu saim ko allrounder bannay kay chakkar mai main kaam kharab karwa deeya dosra agha kya toss kay leyeh hai team may 🤷🏽
Upar say babar azam adil say bachay tu overton ka shikar hogai this team only depends on Sahibzaida farhan— Najeeb ul Hasnain (@ImNajeebH) February 24, 2026
Sahibzada Farhan and Fakhar Zaman ignite Pakistan’s charge in Pallekele vs England
In a high-stakes Super 8 encounter at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium on February 24, 2026, Pakistan have managed to recover from early setbacks to put England’s bowling unit under immense pressure. After winning the toss and electing to bat, Pakistan’s innings stuttered early as Jofra Archer and Dawson removed Saim Ayub and captain Salman Ali Agha within the powerplay.
However, the momentum shifted dramatically through a resilient partnership between Babar and Sahibzada Farhan, with Farhan taking the lead to smash a blistering half-century off just 37 balls. Even after Babar was bowled by Overton for 25, Pakistan refused to slow down, as the experienced Fakhar Zaman joined Farhan to launch a ruthless assault in the middle overs.
The duo has already plundered several massive sixes, propelling Pakistan past the 120-run mark in the 16th over with significant acceleration. As the match progresses toward the death overs, the ‘Men in Green’ look poised to set a formidable target, while England’s Harry Brook is searching for a breakthrough to stem the flow of runs on a surface that is beginning to reward aggressive stroke-play.
