Before the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, which will be co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka, Australian wicketkeeper-batter Josh Philippe has given his support behind former Pakistani captain Babar Azam, expressing optimism that the great batter will regain his best form. Babar’s lacklustre performance in the shortest format has raised questions about his preparedness for the major competition.
Babar has only managed two T20 cricket half-centuries since the 2024 T20 World Cup in the USA and the West Indies. The top-order batsman has amassed 206 runs at an average of 34.33 in eight innings during this time, but his strike rate of 114.44 has drawn a lot of criticism.
Babar’s long-term decline is also evident in the ICC Men’s T20I Batters Rankings, where he fell to 31st place—a notable decline for a player of his calibre. The dip comes at a really bad time, with fewer than two months to go until the world event.
Babar is now playing for the Sydney Sixers in the 2025–2026 Big Bash League (BBL), but he hasn’t yet established himself in Australian conditions. In his first two games with the team, he has only scored two and nine points. But Josh Philippe, who plays in the same dressing room as Babar in the BBL, thinks the Pakistani batter’s skill will eventually come through.
“He is an elite athlete. Coming to Australia and these bouncing surfaces must be difficult. However, he will be perfectly fine after a few more workouts and a few games. He has an excellent record.
According to ICC, Josh Philippe stated, “I am confident that he will be in the runs in the upcoming game.”
In an effort to bolster his chances of being selected for the T20 World Cup team, wicketkeeper-batter Philippe is also considering a comeback to Australia’s national team. With a solid start to the season, the 28-year-old has carried over his impressive form from the white-ball series against India at home in October and November into the current BBL. Josh Philippe, who bats at No. 3 for the Sydney Sixers right now, has stated that he is willing to stay in that position, giving Babar the chance to get back to his best at the top of the order.
“I will gladly take on any necessary duty. I am eager to learn from Babar in the middle and maybe establish a meaningful partnership with him. Josh Philippe remarked, “He is a really nice guy, and we are definitely enjoying having him around.”
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