Mickey Arthur Slams Pakistan for Dropping Babar Azam in Asia Cup

Pakistan’s ongoing batting troubles in the Asia Cup have drawn sharp attention, and one of the loudest voices of concern is their former coach, Mickey Arthur. He has openly criticized the decision to drop star batter Babar Azam, calling it the main reason behind the team’s poor show with the bat.

Struggles in the Top Order

Pakistan managed to qualify for the Super Four stage after beating the UAE, but the team’s batting has looked shaky throughout the tournament. The top-order batters have not been able to provide solid starts, leaving the middle and lower order with too much pressure. According to Mickey Arthur, the absence of Babar Azam has created a big hole in the lineup. He described the decision as “beyond comprehension” and said the team is clearly missing his experience and class.

Babar’s Exclusion – A Controversial Call

Babar Azam, who is the second-highest run-scorer in T20 internationals, has not played the shortest format since Pakistan’s tour of South Africa in December last year. His exclusion from the Asia Cup squad is part of the management’s long-term plan. The selectors wanted to give more chances to young batters with the ICC T20 World Cup 2026 in mind. However, this gamble does not seem to be paying off.

The young pair of Saim Ayub and Sahibzada Farhan were given the responsibility of opening the innings. But both have struggled to perform on the big stage. Saim Ayub, in particular, has had a nightmare run—he has failed to score a single run in three games. Farhan has also looked out of touch, failing to give Pakistan the explosive starts that modern T20 cricket demands.

Mickey Arthur’s Reaction

When both Saim and Farhan once again lost their wickets cheaply against the UAE, Mickey Arthur took to social media to share his frustration. On X (formerly Twitter), he wrote:

“How Babar is not in this batting line-up is totally beyond me!”

His comment has sparked fresh debate among cricket fans and experts, many of whom agree that Pakistan cannot afford to ignore a batter of Babar’s caliber in such a big tournament.

Pakistan’s Inconsistent Batting

Even though Pakistan won against the UAE, the victory did not hide the bigger problem—their fragile batting. The highest total Pakistan has managed in the tournament so far is 160/7 against Oman, a score made possible only because of late hitting by Mohammad Haris. Against arch-rivals India, Pakistan’s batting collapsed completely, ending at just 127/9, which India chased down with ease and plenty of overs to spare.

Such inconsistent batting has raised serious questions about the team’s strategy. Critics argue that leaving out an experienced batter like Babar, who can anchor the innings and stabilize the lineup, has left Pakistan exposed.

Arthur’s Concerns and Fan Reactions

Mickey Arthur, who was Pakistan’s head coach during their historic Champions Trophy victory in 2017, believes that dropping Babar was a mistake that has weakened the team. His remarks have fueled a heated discussion across cricket circles. Many former cricketers and fans are questioning whether Pakistan can realistically compete at the top level without their most reliable T20 run-scorer.

What Lies Ahead

As Pakistan steps into the Super Four stage, the pressure is higher than ever. Their batting unit is under the microscope, and every failure is being linked back to Babar’s absence. Now, all eyes are on the team management and selectors. Will they continue to back the younger players despite their failures, or will they be forced to rethink their decision and bring Babar back into the fold before the World Cup?

One thing is certain—without a stable and strong batting order, Pakistan’s chances of lifting the Asia Cup trophy look slim. And unless the young batters quickly find their form, the calls for Babar Azam’s return will only grow louder.

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