Babar Azam Criticism: Lack of Intent in Big Matches

Babar Azam Faces Backlash for Poor Batting Intent

Babar Azam criticism has intensified after Pakistan’s disappointing exit from the ICC Champions Trophy. Former cricketer Danish Kaneria openly questioned Babar’s batting approach, emphasizing his tendency to score primarily against weaker teams like Zimbabwe. Kaneria remarked,

“Babar has been struggling for runs for quite some time. But when he does, it’s against Zimbabwe or smaller teams. Against big teams, he shows no intent at all.”

Underwhelming Performance in Champions Trophy

Pakistan had a forgettable tournament, getting eliminated in just five days. Key players, including Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan, failed to deliver under pressure. As a result, Pakistan struggled to post competitive scores in crucial matches.

• Babar Azam’s Stats: He managed to score only 87 runs, including a half-century.
• Mohammad Rizwan’s Struggles: He contributed just 49 runs in two crucial games.
• Poor Strike Rate: Babar’s 64 off 90 balls against New Zealand and Rizwan’s 46 off 77 balls against India slowed down the run rate considerably.

Sluggish Batting Cost Pakistan

Babar’s lack of aggression was evident in Pakistan’s match against New Zealand. While chasing 321 runs, his slow knock put pressure on the team. Similarly, Rizwan’s conservative approach in the India match resulted in a low total of 241 runs. Consequently, these sluggish innings played a significant role in Pakistan’s early elimination.

Experts Weigh In

Many former cricketers and analysts have echoed similar concerns about Pakistan’s batting strategy. They believe that Pakistan’s approach must change in order to compete with top teams.

• Lack of Intent: Players failed to accelerate at crucial stages, which hurt the team’s overall performance.
• Poor Strike Rate: Their inability to maintain a quick scoring rate did not match modern cricket demands.
• Predictable Batting: Opposition teams easily set field placements to counter Pakistan’s passive approach.

“Pakistan cricket needs a change in mindset. If players do not adapt to modern aggressive cricket, they will continue to struggle,” an expert suggested.

What’s Next for Pakistan?

Pakistan’s early exit has raised serious questions about team selection and leadership. Many believe Babar Azam’s position as captain may come under scrutiny. To succeed in future tournaments, Pakistan must adopt a more aggressive batting strategy. Furthermore, the team needs to build a core group of players who can deliver under pressure against stronger opponents.

Final Thoughts

Babar Azam criticism is not just about one tournament but a recurring pattern. If Pakistan wants to compete at the highest level, their key players must step up against bigger opponents. Moving forward, intent and adaptability will be crucial in shaping their future performances. Unless changes are made, Pakistan may continue to struggle in major tournaments.

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