Shoaib Akhtar: “Babar Azam is not going to deliver until you play him as an opener. He is of no use in the middle order”
Image taken by: Bimal Mirwani
Pakistan pace legend Shoaib Akhtar believes Babar Azam will be useless in the middle order and will not deliver in T20Is unless he returns to opening the batting.
Azam previously served as Pakistan’s go-to opener in the shortest format and enjoyed considerable success at the top of the order. However, his relatively low strike-rate remained a persistent concern, drawing repeated criticism.
After being moved to number four during the 2026 T20 World Cup, Akhtar feels the decision to demote the 31-year-old is doing more harm than good, as it is reducing his effectiveness with the bat.
“Babar Azam is not going to deliver until you play him as an opener. He is of no use in the middle order. This format is not made for him,” he said on ARY News as quoted by NDTV.
Azam recently showcased his capabilities in the shortest format as he captained the Peshawar Zalmi to the title in the 2026 Pakistan Super League (PSL).
He played a key role in his side lifting the trophy as he was the highest run-scorer with 588 runs in 11 matches, which included two centuries and three fifties, at an average of 73.50 and a strike-rate of 145.90.
After that, Azam featured in one Test against Bangladesh and struck 115 runs, which included a top score of 68, at an average of 57.50.
He then proceeded to score 125 runs in three ODIs against Australia, which included a top score of 69, at an average of 41.66.
Azam was recently reappointed as Pakistan Test captain and is now leading the men in green in their two-Test series against the West Indies.
Pakistan lost the 1st Test by 90 runs and are currently looking to rebound with a win in the ongoing 2nd Test.
Once their tour of the West Indies concludes, Pakistan will head to England to play three Tests from August 19 to September 13.
Pakistan Squad for West Indies Test Series: Babar Azam (captain), Aamer Jamal, Abdullah Shafique, Ali Usman, Azan Awais, Imam-ul-Haq, Khurram Shahzad, Mohammad Abbas, Mohammad Ali, Mohammad Rizwan (wicketkeeper), Awais Zafar, Ghazi Ghori (wicketkeeper), Sajid Khan, Salman Ali Agha, Saud Shakeel, Shan Masood and Ubaid Shah
Pakistan Squad for England Test series: Babar Azam (captain), Aamer Jamal, Abdullah Fazal, Ali Usman, Azan Awais, Imam-ul-Haq, Khurram Shahzad, Mohammad Abbas, Mohammad Ali, Mohammad Rizwan (wicketkeeper), Awais Zafar, Ghazi Ghori (wicketkeeper), Sajid Khan, Salman Ali Agha, Saud Shakeel (subject to fitness), Shan Masood and Ubaid Shah