Shoaib Akhtar has issued a stern ultimatum to Babar Azam, urging him to score three match-winning centuries during the Champions Trophy to retain his spot in Pakistan’s white-ball teams.
Shoaib Akhtar’s Warning to Babar Azam
Former Pakistan fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar has set high expectations for Babar Azam ahead of the upcoming Champions Trophy.
With a poor run in international cricket, Babar has been struggling to make an impact.
Akhtar has urged the batter to step up, emphasizing that his career in white-ball cricket depends on scoring three match-winning centuries during the tournament.
Babar’s recent performances have raised questions about his form. In the T20I and ODI series against Australia last month, he managed only 47 and 80 runs, respectively.
“He is our star player and has my backing but with the new management and the new thinking, he will have to show performances. Otherwise, he will not be considered for ODIs and T20Is,” he said.
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Additionally, his Test form remains concerning, with a dismal average of 20.7 since 2023. These statistics have put him under immense pressure, especially with new management led by Aqib Javed taking charge.
Should Babar Azam Take a Break to Regain Form?
Cricket experts, including Ricky Ponting, suggest that Babar Azam should consider taking a break to rejuvenate his career.
Ponting highlighted the example of Virat Kohli, who returned stronger after a month-long hiatus in 2022.
Kohli’s comeback, marked by consistent performances and a Player of the Tournament award in the 2022 T20 World Cup, serves as a blueprint for Babar.
Akhtar, however, believes that time is running out. “Babar needs to score big in the Champions Trophy.
“Babar needs to be at his best in the Champions Trophy. He will have to score three match-winning hundreds; otherwise, the path is going to be difficult for him,” he added.
“You know, when you look at (Babar’s) numbers, it’s been a bit like the stuff that we were talking about with Virat [Kohli] earlier on,” Ponting had told ICC. “Sometimes – and I think Virat was on record saying this – that little bit of a break that he had, he took himself away from the game for a while to freshen up and sort out some things that he needed to sort out.
“This might be exactly what Babar needs. Maybe Babar needs to get away for a while and stop trying too hard. Lock the kit bag away for a while, and think about something else and then hopefully come back recharged, because we know at his best he’s as good as anyone going around. Hopefully we get to see that in the back half of his career again.”
Without three match-winning centuries, his future in ODIs and T20Is looks bleak,” Akhtar stated, adding that the tournament could define Babar’s cricketing career trajectory.
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