T20 World Cup 2026: Mohammad Kaif questions Babar Azam's record in the IND vs PAK matches
Ever since Babar Azam endured a disappointing outing against India in the T20 World Cup 2026 clash on Sunday, February 15, at the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo, criticism has poured in from both experts and fans. The former Pakistan captain was dismissed inside the powerplay, having attempted to force the pace under mounting pressure. His early exit proved costly, especially at a stage when Pakistan were in desperate need of stability and a composed rebuilding effort. Many observers felt that Babar’s wicket shifted the momentum firmly in India’s favour.
T20 World Cup 2026: Virat Kohli is way ahead of Babar Azam in IND vs PAK matches?
Over the years, Babar has frequently been compared to Virat Kohli, widely regarded as one of the finest batters of the modern era. However, former India cricketer Mohammad Kaif dismissed the ongoing ‘GOAT’ debate, stressing that true greatness is defined by performances in the most high-pressure situations. He cited Kohli’s unforgettable knock against Pakistan in the 2022 T20 World Cup, when India required 28 runs from the final eight deliveries. On that occasion, Kohli’s remarkable composure and shot-making nearly single-handedly turned the contest around, reinforcing his reputation as a player who thrives when stakes are at their highest.
"Take the Melbourne innings, 28 runs off 8 balls at the death. Babar Azam would struggle to score even 16 off 8 in that situation. That is the difference. You may be happy with the numbers, but against whom were those runs scored, and at what moment? Did they change the game? From that perspective, Virat Kohli is like the Himalayas, sitting at the highest peak, while Babar Azam is on a much smaller mountain. That is the gap," stated former Indian cricketer Mohammad Kaif.
"Do not focus only on statistics. Match-winning innings matter more. Babar has had many opportunities. I have watched India vs Pakistan games for years, and apart from maybe one or two matches, I do not recall a truly dominant, defining innings from him against India," he added.
Mohammad Kaif emphasized that a batter’s greatness should not be measured solely by the volume of runs accumulated over a career. While statistics and averages often dominate discussions, he argued that numbers alone fail to capture the true impact of a player. According to Kaif, the defining quality of a great cricketer lies in the ability to deliver when it matters most - under pressure, in high-stakes encounters, and against formidable opposition.
He pointed out that match-winning performances in crunch situations carry far more weight than routine contributions in low-pressure games. A player who consistently rises to the occasion and guides the team across the finish line, especially in global tournaments or rivalry fixtures, leaves a deeper imprint on the sport. Kaif stressed that mental strength, composure, and the courage to take responsibility in tense moments are what separate good players from truly exceptional ones. In his view, the cricketing community must look beyond raw statistics and focus on impact, context, and the ability to change the course of a match.
“Do not judge players only by numbers. I do not evaluate a player just by seeing that he has scored 10,000 runs. How many Player of the Match awards have you won? How many impactful innings have you played when your team was in trouble? When Pakistan was losing, did your bat deliver? Against which opposition did you score those runs? In what situation? What was the impact of that innings? Did your team reach the semifinal or the final? Did your team win a trophy because of your batting? There is a reason why Virat Kohli sits at the very top and is regarded as such a great player," Kaif concluded.
