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“Farhan is most successful”: Rashid Latif schools Babar, Salman ahead of T20 WC

Soumyajit Dutta

Babar Azam, Salman Agha and Rashid Latif [Source: @ICC/X]Babar Azam, Salman Agha and Rashid Latif [Source: @ICC/X]

With an eye on the 2026 T20 World Cup, former Pakistan captain Rashid Latif has called for significant improvements from several key batters in the national side.

Latif specifically highlighted concerns over their strike rates, urging them to elevate their game for the upcoming tournament. Latif contrasted this by commending opener Sahibzada Farhan for his exceptional run-scoring form and tempo throughout the year.

Rashid Latif wants Babar, Salman and Usman to better themselves

In a recent Facebook post, Latif shared comparative statistics to underscore his point. He wrote, "Sahibzada Farhan was the most successful batsman in 2025. Captain Salman Ali Agha, Babar Azam and wicketkeeper Usman Khan will need to work on their strike-rates for the World Cup."

The numbers clearly illustrate his argument. Farhan amassed 1,825 runs in 45 matches at an average of 43.45 and a strike-rate of 153.23, including four centuries.

In contrast, Babar Azam scored 585 runs in 22 games at a strike-rate of 122.28, Salman Ali Agha made 826 runs in 43 games at 119.88, and Usman Khan gathered 583 runs in 24 matches.

If looked at a much deeper level in terms of averages, in mega tournaments, though, Babar Azam boasts a better average than Farhan. Babar averages 36.3 from 17 matches in the T20 World Cup, while Farhan averages 31.00 from his 7 five-plus team tournaments.

However, this doesn’t hide the fact that Farhan has a better average in the T20 Asia Cup. While Babar averages 11.33 in the Asia Cup, Farhan displays an average of 31.00 in the Men’s T20 Asia Cup.

Pakistan ready to go at war in the upcoming World Cup

The International Cricket Council (ICC) announced the schedule and groups for the 2026 T20 World Cup on November 25. The event, scheduled from February 7 to March 8, will feature 20 teams in five initial groups. The top two from each group will progress to the Super Eight stage.

Defending champions India and Pakistan have been drawn together in Group A, alongside the Netherlands, Namibia, and the USA. Under the ICC's Fusion Formula, which prevents India and Pakistan from playing each other on home soil in ICC events, all of Pakistan's group matches will be held in Sri Lanka.

Pakistan begins its campaign against the Netherlands in Colombo on February 7, the same day India opens against the USA in Mumbai. All eyes will be on the Pakistan top order batters to see how they perform for their team in the fight for the mega silverware.