Published on, Sept. 4 -- September 4, 2025 11:09 PM

Pakistan's batting line-up has long been a subject of debate. On paper, it appears powerful, stacked with hitters who can change the course of a match within a few overs. Yet, despite this apparent strength, there is an unmistakable incompleteness about it - the absence of Babar Azam. The void is not simply about reputation; it is borne out by numbers. Babar has scored over 3,500 T20 international runs at an average above 41 with a strike rate close to 129. Since 2020, his partnerships with Mohammad Rizwan have laid the foundation of Pakistan's innings more often than not, producing over 20 fifty-plus opening stands. Without him, the team has struggled for stability, relying too heavily...