Pakistan captain Babar Azam has found himself at the center of controversy during the T20 World Cup 2026. An Islamic scholar recently claimed that Babar’s dip in form is the result of “black magic.” The statement quickly went viral and fueled debate across social media platforms.
However, cricket analysts continue to assess his performance through numbers rather than superstition. Meanwhile, fans remain divided over the unusual claim.
Struggles in T20 World Cup 2026
Babar Azam has endured a difficult campaign in the ongoing tournament in Sri Lanka and India. In five innings, he has scored only 91 runs. His average stands at 22.75, which falls below expectations for a player of his caliber.
Moreover, his 25 off 24 balls against England in the Super 8 stage drew criticism. His strike rate of 104.17 in that match frustrated supporters. Critics argued that the slow pace prevented Pakistan from setting a competitive total.
As a result, head coach Mike Hesson shifted Babar to the number four position. The management believes the team needs greater powerplay acceleration at the top. Historically, Babar’s World Cup powerplay strike rate has remained under 90, which raises tactical concerns.
Big Bash League Disappointment
Babar’s first stint in the Big Bash League with the Sydney Sixers also failed to silence critics. Across 11 matches, he scored 202 runs at an average of 22.44. More notably, his strike rate of 103.06 became the lowest among players scoring over 200 runs in a single BBL season.
Although he registered two half-centuries, inconsistency hurt his campaign. He failed to cross 15 runs in eight matches. Therefore, questions about his adaptability in aggressive T20 leagues intensified.
Decline Across Formats
The concerns extend beyond T20 cricket. In Test matches, Babar has not scored a century since 2022. During 2024, he averaged only 18.5 in the format.
Additionally, he has slipped to 31st in the ICC T20I rankings. This marks a significant fall for a batter once regarded as the world’s top T20I player.
Former wicketkeeper Rashid Latif recently commented that Babar is “no longer a player of this format.” Such remarks reflect growing frustration among experts.
Superstition Versus Performance Analysis
The black magic claim has added a dramatic twist to Babar’s struggles. Nevertheless, performance metrics suggest technical and tactical issues rather than supernatural causes. Modern cricket demands high strike rates and consistent adaptability.
Therefore, many analysts believe Babar must adjust his approach to reclaim his dominance. His ability to rebuild will likely define the next phase of his career.
For now, the debate continues. While superstition captures headlines, statistics tell a more grounded story.
