Pakistan told to take decisive call on Babar Azam after T20 World Cup exit

T20 World Cup 2026: Pakistan were knocked out of the T20 World Cup despite beating Sri Lanka, as New Zealand advanced on a superior net run rate. Pujara has called for honest talks over Babar Azam's T20 future.

Former India batter Cheteshwar Pujara has called on the Pakistan Cricket Board to have honest conversations with Babar Azam about his T20 future, following Pakistan's exit from the T20 World Cup 2026 on Saturday.

SL vs PAK, T20 World Cup 2026: Scorecard | Highlights

Pakistan were knocked out despite beating Sri Lanka by five runs in their final Super 8s fixture. New Zealand qualified for the semifinals ahead of them based on a superior net run rate.

Invited to bat, Pakistan posted 212 for 8 with Sahibzada Farhan striking a stunning century and Fakhar Zaman contributing 84 in a record-breaking 176-run stand. Pakistan needed to restrict Sri Lanka to 147 or fewer, but Dasun Shanaka's unbeaten 76 off 31 balls and Pavan Rathnayake's 58 guided the co-hosts to 207 for 6. Abrar Ahmed took three wickets, but it was not enough, as Pakistan and New Zealand finished level on three points, with the Kiwis progressing on better net run rate. England had already sealed their semifinal berth after winning all three of their Super 8s matches.

Speaking on Star Sports after Pakistan's elimination, Pujara pointed directly to Babar's future as a pressing concern for the management.

"There has to be an honest conversation with Babar Azam. If he is not in the team's plans going forward, that message needs to come clearly from the management. He needs to know where he stands," Pujara said.