Former Pakistan captain Salman Butt recently shared his thoughts on Babar Azam’s current struggles in Test cricket, highlighting how the star batter’s high standards have become both a blessing and a curse. Once hailed as Pakistan’s most reliable run-scorer, Babar has been facing significant scrutiny due to his prolonged poor form. Butt argues that Babar’s past success has conditioned fans and critics alike to expect exceptional performances in every innings, making any dip in form more noticeable and concerning.
Babar Azam’s High Standards Now a Burden
Babar Azam, widely regarded as one of Pakistan’s finest batters, has been going through a rough patch in Test cricket.
His last 14 innings have yielded a meagre average of under 22, a significant drop from his career average of almost 45.
In a recent interview, Salman Butt discussed how Babar’s past consistency is now working against him.
According to Butt, Babar has “made people habituated by scoring so many runs that people now want him to score lots of runs in every inning.”
The 29-year-old batter has set such high standards that any failure to meet them is met with immediate criticism.
Butt emphasised that while other players in the team had also struggled with form in the past, Babar’s current situation feels more acute because he has been Pakistan’s most consistent performer for a decade.
Pakistan’s Over-Reliance on Babar Azam
Butt also pointed out a significant issue in Pakistan’s current Test team: the lack of other match-winning players.
He noted that during Babar’s earlier years, the team had several players who could contribute significantly, masking any off-days Babar might have had.
However, with the current squad, Babar is often the sole contributor with the bat, making his form crucial to Pakistan’s chances of winning.
“The day he doesn’t run, you know that the Pakistan team will not win the match,” Butt stated, highlighting the team’s over-reliance on their captain.
He also criticised the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) for not developing technically sound batters who can step up during Babar’s lean phases.
Butt argued that the focus has shifted too much towards power-hitting and aggressive play, neglecting the development of players with solid techniques who can anchor the innings when needed.
Litton Das ‘Happy’ but Maintains Rawalpindi Century Not His Best Knock
Pakistan is currently in a precarious position in the World Test Championship (WTC) standings, and their hopes of levelling the series against Bangladesh are hanging by a thread.
With Babar Azam set to bat on a tricky Rawalpindi pitch, the team’s chances of turning their fortunes around largely depend on their captain’s performance.
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