Mickey Arthur Says Babar Azam and Rizwan Don’t Fit in Modern T20s

The debate over whether Pakistan’s two biggest batting stars, Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan, are still suited for modern-day T20 cricket has grown louder in recent months. Fans, experts, and former players have all weighed in, and now one of the most respected voices in world cricket, Mickey Arthur, has shared his opinion — and it isn’t very encouraging for the duo.

Arthur, who once served as the head coach of the Pakistan cricket team, has questioned the ability of Babar and Rizwan to keep pace with the demands of today’s fast-changing T20 format. According to him, while both players remain technically brilliant and highly dependable in longer formats, their style no longer matches the explosive requirements of T20 cricket.

Speaking on a local sports television show, Arthur acknowledged their class by calling them “fine cricketers.” However, he pointed out that the shortest format has moved beyond the traditional, steady approach that Babar and Rizwan usually rely on. He explained:

“T20 cricket today demands a very different approach. The kind of game Babar and Rizwan want to play requires other players who can fully execute their vision — but at this moment, Pakistan needs different tools.”

Arthur’s remarks carry weight because of his history with Pakistan cricket. During his coaching stint, Pakistan rose to the No.1 ranking in T20 cricket under the leadership of Sarfaraz Ahmed. His strategies and game plans helped the team dominate for a significant period. Therefore, his views about the current setup naturally attract attention.

The former coach also showed support for the current management, led by New Zealander Mike Hesson, who is in charge of Pakistan’s white-ball teams. Arthur mentioned that every coach has a vision, and Hesson seems very clear about how he wants Pakistan to play. Since taking over, Hesson has not included Babar or Rizwan in his T20 squads, preferring aggressive opening options such as Saim Ayub, Fakhar Zaman, and Sahibzada Farhan. This clearly shows a shift towards a bolder, high-strike-rate style of play.

Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan, despite being the backbone of Pakistan’s batting for years, especially in T20 cricket, have often been criticized for their slow strike rates. Their method of taking time to settle before accelerating worked well in the past, but in modern cricket — where teams want explosive starts right from the first over — it is being seen as outdated. Many international sides now use fearless power-hitters at the top, setting huge totals or chasing big targets with aggression.

This ongoing debate is unlikely to die down soon. With Mickey Arthur’s recent comments, the pressure on Babar and Rizwan has only increased. Both players now face a difficult choice: should they adapt their natural game to meet the demands of modern T20 cricket, or should they focus on formats where their traditional style is still highly valuable, such as ODIs and Tests?

The situation becomes even more important with two major tournaments on the horizon — the Asia Cup and the next T20 World Cup cycle. Leaving out two of Pakistan’s most reliable batters could either turn out to be a bold step towards reinventing the team’s future or a costly gamble that may backfire in a time of crisis.

For now, Pakistan cricket finds itself at a crossroads. On one side is the proven consistency of Babar and Rizwan, and on the other is the promise of a new, fearless approach. The coming months will reveal whether this transition strengthens Pakistan’s T20 ambitions or creates bigger challenges than expected.

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