Babar Azam among 3 Players Pakistan must Discard after T20 World Cup Exit

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Pakistan's campaign in the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026 ended in disappointment, as they were eliminated in the Super 8 stage despite a thrilling five-run victory over Sri Lanka in their final match.

The team posted a strong 212/8, powered by a record-breaking opening stand between Sahibzada Farhan (century) and Fakhar Zaman, but failed to defend it convincingly enough to overcome New Zealand's superior net run rate and advance to the semi-finals.

This exit-marked by inconsistent performances, middle-order collapses in key games, slow strike rates from some seniors, and an inability to close out tight contests-has sparked calls for change. Pakistan's T20 side needs fresh energy, better adaptability to modern T20 demands, and a shift away from players who have underperformed or no longer fit the aggressive template.

Here are three players Pakistan must consider dropping from their T20 setup post the 2026 World Cup to rebuild for future challenges:

1. Babar Azam

Babar Azam, once the cornerstone of Pakistan's batting, has struggled to adapt to the evolving T20 landscape. In the 2026 tournament, his form was a major concern, scoring only around 91 runs across four innings at an average of 22 and a strike rate hovering near 112. Even in matches where he contributed, his slow consumption of deliveries hurt the team's momentum and prevented bigger totals. Despite his class in longer formats, Babar's T20 output has declined, with criticism focusing on his inability to accelerate consistently in the middle overs.

Pakistan's middle order repeatedly faltered, partly due to this. Dropping him would allow aggressive talents like Usman Khan, Khawaja Nafay, or emerging players to take central roles and inject pace into the lineup. It's a tough but necessary call for long-term renewal.

2. Saim Ayub

Saim Ayub entered the tournament with expectations as a dynamic top-order option but failed to deliver consistently. He was dropped mid-tournament (e.g., for the crucial Sri Lanka clash), replaced by tweaks like promoting Fakhar Zaman or bringing in Khawaja Nafay. His returns were underwhelming, contributing to early collapses in some games and lacking the explosive starts Pakistan needed against quality attacks.

In a format that demands fearless openers who can dominate powerplays, Ayub's inconsistency has been exposed. With Sahibzada Farhan and Fakhar proving more reliable at the top, and other all-round options like Salman Agha or Shadab Khan available, it's time to move on from Ayub in T20Is to give opportunities to hungrier, in-form players.

3. Faheem Ashraf

Faheem Ashraf's all-round utility has been a staple, but his contributions in the 2026 World Cup (and recent T20 cycles) have been limited. His batting has rarely provided the finishing kick required in death overs, and his bowling, while economical at times, lacks the wicket-taking threat or variations needed in high-scoring games. Pakistan's bowling attack struggled to contain big hitters in key phases, and all-rounders like Faheem haven't justified their spots over specialists or more dynamic options (e.g., better death bowlers or power hitters). Dropping him would free up a slot for a genuine finisher or a specialist pacer/spinner, helping balance the side better for aggressive T20 cricket.