Fakhar Zaman in focus as Pakistan weigh middle-order switch and Ashwin issues warning before England clash

Pakistan’s middle order is under the microscope ahead of the Super Eight phase, and fakhar zaman is at the centre of the debate as selection dilemmas converge with a high-profile warning from R Ashwin. The choices matter now: Pakistan will open their Super Eight against New Zealand at R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo, Sri Lanka.

Super Eight kickoff at R. Premadasa Stadium: Pakistan to face New Zealand in Colombo

Pakistan will face New Zealand in the first Super Eight match of the T20 World Cup 2026 at R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo, Sri Lanka, with fans eagerly anticipating the final playing XI. England began their chase of a 165-run target in this crucial Super 8 match against Pakistan, and the pressure was clear from the start.

Babar Azam demoted from No. 4 after Namibia group game and statistical questions

Babar Azam was demoted from his usual number four position during Pakistan’s last group-stage game against Namibia, a change that has sharpened focus on the middle order. The Lahore-born right-handed batter has carried the number four responsibility throughout the tournament, but his recent performances have come under scrutiny. In T20 Internationals at number four between 2017 and 2026, the Lahore-born cricketer has played seven innings, scoring 185 runs at an average of 30. 83 with a strike rate of 118. 58. Critics and cricket analysts question whether the right-handed batter, who needs just 32 runs to become Pakistan’s leading T20 World Cup scorer, has delivered the consistency expected in key high-pressure matches.

Fakhar Zaman’s aggressive No. 4 record fuels calls for a temporary change

Fakhar Zaman has been presented as an alternative to Babar, and his recent work at number four has intensified the debate. The left-handed Fakhar Zaman, between 2021 and 2026, has scored 501 runs in 21 innings at an average of 25. 05 with a strike rate of 150. 45, including three half-centuries and a career-best score of 78. Strategists are suggesting fakhar zaman could replace Babar Azam temporarily in the Super Eight, especially if Saim Ayub is confirmed as the opening batter. Analysts point to Fakhar’s aggressive style and proven ability to accelerate scoring as a potential boost for the Green Shirts in a high-pressure stage.

Replacing Babar would be a bold management decision with broader implications

Replacing Azam would be a bold management decision but could reveal Pakistan’s depth, balance, and flexibility under pressure while testing the Men in Green during this critical stage of the T20 World Cup. The debate over the middle order now balances short-term acceleration against longer-term stability, with selection choices likely to show how the team’s management prioritises those traits.

R Ashwin’s explosive warning and match moments involving Shaheen Shah Afridi and England

R Ashwin issued an explosive warning before the England clash: ‘If Pakistan are serious about their campaign’. That admonition arrives after a sequence of high-stakes moments: England became the first team to reach the semi-finals of the ongoing ICC Men’s T20 World Cup with a tense two-wicket win over Pakistan, and Shaheen Shah Afridi made an immediate impact in a key match by dismissing Jos Buttler with the first ball of the contest. Experienced fast bowler Shaheen Shah Afridi has taken 17 wickets in Powerplays at the Men’s T20 World Cup, making him the leading bowler in this phase of the tournament.

Stats and coverage: social conversation and round-the-clock reporting

A post from Mazher Arshad on February 20, 2026 highlighted statistics on Babar Azam and Fakhar Zaman, underlining how data is driving the selection conversation. Coverage has emphasised nuanced match reports, previews, and reviews, along with statistics-based technical analysis, the latest social media trends, and expert insights across cricket, football, tennis, badminton, hockey, motorsports, wrestling, boxing, shooting, athletics, and more. Reporters are working around the clock to capture these angles as Pakistan head into the Super Eight.