Babar Azam and the big day

[lolpakistan]

We've all seen his smooth performances, the world has unanimously agreed upon how he's the future and saviour of Pakistan's batting. Yet the one thing that would be a huge part of THAT SAVIOUR OF PAKISTAN'S BATTING is the actual ability to hold nerve and take the team through to victory on a big day, such as the one we had today. For all the UA's and Babar Azams and other glimpses of batting hopes we've witnessed in the recent past, I can't recall one innings or anything close to it which could be counted as a truly genuine match winning innings by an outright crazy prospect for the team.

While I do still do see potential in Babar Azam, I never get the feeling that he's going to take the team home when he's batting during a big match. Never got the feeling today.

 

[pakistanigoneaussie]

He has played 20 odd games. People need to chill

 

[lolpakistan]

He has played 20 odd games. People need to chill

Surely he could serve his team much better on big occasions if he's played 20 odd games, has been around the game for almost a couple of years now, AND is the best batsman in the lot.

 

[Sarfarazian92]

His fielding should've given everyone a sense of his level of confidence.

 

[Pete Rose]

He has played 20 odd games. People need to chill

this 2 off the first ten balls is a regular pattern. wont hurt against west indies, but the bigger team know.

 

[pakistanigoneaussie]

this 2 off the first ten balls is a regular pattern. wont hurt against west indies, but the bigger team know.

Yes that's very true but it frankly speaking Sh its me when both fans and pundits place so much emphasis on a young exiting newcomers while hardly touching the "experienced" crew who always fail

Yes Babar needs to improve, but he is among the least of our problems right now

 

[lolpakistan]

Yes that's very true but it frankly speaking Sh its me when both fans and pundits place so much emphasis on a young exiting newcomers while hardly touching the "experienced" crew who always fail

Yes Babar needs to improve, but he is among the least of our problems right now

I think that's the very problem why we can't progress. To label someone as the new messiah of batting and then be content with his mediocre performances by cooking up an image of a fantastic future that is just round the corner. Sure, greats aren't made within 20 odd games but I would really like to assess Babar Azam on his performances against big teams, and during high pressure situations, not the hundreds against the West Indies. And currently, assessing him under the filter doesn't give me much of a confidence about the future, the near one atleast

 

[proud_pakistani]

Babar averages 55 after 20 odd games. He is very well Pakistan's future for the ODI middle order. We need to give him time and let him focus on ODIs. I was against him playing test cricket as his services are more needed for ODIs. He needed complete focus on that. Most people on pakpassion disagree with that point of view. I don't think playing test cricket will improve your game in LOIs. I think Babar's game has regressed playing multiple formats

 

[gishy]

He looked like a child out there in front of the Indian team and completely out of place.

 

[PakHammer]

Wonder if we have hyped him too much after his early performances? He has been getting out to lazy shots since the Windies tour.

 

[Flat_Track_Bully]

Leave him alone he will come good.

 

[wasimjunior]

So many people reading too much. He was absolutely fine.
Its poor for him to smash one to the fielder, he should know that. But he looked good until then, theres literally no thread here to talk about.

 

[TalentSpotterPk]

His fielding should've given everyone a sense of his level of confidence.

Did he drop kohli ? What was the batsman individual score when he dropped him ?

 

[Madplayer]

Babar azam doesnt inspire much confidence tbh. 2 years since his debut which is a lot of time. we waited for him to rectify his faults but its about time we start asking questions. Is he the Main guy, the match winner, the reliable batsman Pakistan need? I really dont think so..seems like just fit for a supporting role. The Main guy is still missing.

 

[roshanrocks]

It was NOT a big day. It was just the first game of the tournament. Big Games are the knockouts.

babar Azam is young and a human being. Please remember that. let him grow. DO you know how many chances indian management gave to Rohit Sharma? Please recognise talent and give it time to grow. Dont cut the sapling before it becomes a tree...

 

[Sarfarazian92]

Did he drop kohli ? What was the batsman individual score when he dropped him ?

No, he didn't drop kohli.

But ever since the beginning of the match, you could see he was nervous and was missing straight balls towards him.

 

[Ilan Bluestone]

Babar is twenty matches in and he failed in his first match of his first big tourney while showing a great deal of promise so far in his career and we have the pitch forks out?

Maybe people need to look at what he's done in comparison to peers at the same juncture and you will see he ranks among the best and also you'll find many have similar failures.

Let's focus on the real issues, the revolving door of mediocrity that needs to forever leave this side.

 

[Mamoon]

One thing I have had an issue with in the past as well is his body language. Looks disinterested and weak in the field. We are short of good players who are also big characters.

 

[Slog]

I don't think he will get anywhere close to smith, root, Kohli, Williamson level ever. And primarily a function of the set up and environment he plays in

At this point id ship him off Australia and have him just play Sheffield shield for a couple of years to add some steel to his game

 

[marlonbrowndo]

Least of our worries

 

[TalentSpotterPk]

One thing I have had an issue with in the past as well is his body language. Looks disinterested and weak in the field. We are short of good players who are also big characters.

I don't think he will get anywhere close to smith, root, Kohli, Williamson level ever. And primarily a function of the set up and environment he plays in

At this point id ship him off Australia and have him just play Sheffield shield for a couple of years to add some steel to his game

Least of our worries

Slog remember we had a 19 20 years old stylish, dynamic batsman who scored ~ 1000 Fc runs in first Fc season. Got picked immediately and whenever he is given a go he is seen as too soft a fellow. Now he is 26 27. Soft dismissals, low on confidence and Aag.

He too needed Country or Sheffield shield stints.

Babar won't have that opportunity either.

 

[Chief Destroyer]

I was expecting a 70 ball hundred tbh. Very disappointed.

 

[Justcrazy]

babar has scored runs and will keep scoring them , but the point is that he is not the top notch batter like Kohli , Smith , Root etc.

He is a level below, and so is harris sohail.

He does not have ability to make a match winning hundred.

 

[Chief Destroyer]

babar has scored runs and will keep scoring them , but the point is that he is not the top notch batter like Kohli , Smith , Root etc.

He is a level below, and so is harris sohail.

He does not have ability to make a match winning hundred.

4/5 of his hundreds have resulted in Pakistan winning the match.

 

[Abdullah]

I think that's the very problem why we can't progress. To label someone as the new messiah of batting and then be content with his mediocre performances by cooking up an image of a fantastic future that is just round the corner. Sure, greats aren't made within 20 odd games but I would really like to assess Babar Azam on his performances against big teams, and during high pressure situations, not the hundreds against the West Indies. And currently, assessing him under the filter doesn't give me much of a confidence about the future, the near one atleast

Averaged 55 in Australia at 90 SR.
The number 1 team and world champs
Cut some slack.
We need to stop looking for superstars and have a TEAM where everybody does their bit.
This hunt for superstars is where everything falls over.

 

[kingusama92]

babar has scored runs and will keep scoring them , but the point is that he is not the top notch batter like Kohli , Smith , Root etc.

He is a level below, and so is harris sohail.

He does not have ability to make a match winning hundred.

He has a better track record than Kohli at the same stage of their careers.

Azam = 53 AVG (5 100s and 6 50s) in 27 Matches

Kohli = 50 AVG (2 100s and 8 50s) in 27 Matches

 

[Dr_Bassim]

4/5 of his hundreds have resulted in Pakistan winning the match.

Against which teams?

 

[Rayyman]

Babar azam doesnt inspire much confidence tbh. 2 years since his debut which is a lot of time. we waited for him to rectify his faults but its about time we start asking questions. Is he the Main guy, the match winner, the reliable batsman Pakistan need? I really dont think so..seems like just fit for a supporting role. The Main guy is still missing.

I don't think he will get anywhere close to smith, root, Kohli, Williamson level ever. And primarily a function of the set up and environment he plays in

At this point id ship him off Australia and have him just play Sheffield shield for a couple of years to add some steel to his game

babar has scored runs and will keep scoring them , but the point is that he is not the top notch batter like Kohli , Smith , Root etc.

He is a level below, and so is harris sohail.

He does not have ability to make a match winning hundred.

Against which teams?

He is 22. Fgs leave him alone.

 

[Dr_Bassim]

He is 22. Fgs leave him alone.

I like Babar.

He is really talented.

But when people are bigging him up on no basis whatsoever and comparisons to Kohli are being made, its time to show a few posters their intelligence level.

Babar is my favorite batsmen in the team.

I repeat.

Babar is my favorite batsmen in the team.

He is better than Kohli, he has 4 hundreds out of 5 in wins which is better than Kohli, his stats are better than Kohli then it's time to ask.

Against which teams are the winning hundreds?

Hope that helps.

 

[Madplayer]

He is 22. Fgs leave him alone.

That is fine. But would u not agree that 2 years is a long time to see what a player is capable of? He has the ability but he doesnt possess the attitude, lacks interest and enthusiasm on the field. This is hampering him from developing a killer instinct. Someone needs to sit down with him and talk to him about it. But i'm afraid these are inherent characteristics of his and he will always be like this.

 

[msb314]

Slog remember we had a 19 20 years old stylish, dynamic batsman who scored ~ 1000 Fc runs in first Fc season. Got picked immediately and whenever he is given a go he is seen as too soft a fellow. Now he is 26 27. Soft dismissals, low on confidence and Aag.

He too needed Country or Sheffield shield stints.

Babar won't have that opportunity either.

Umar Akmal?

 

[msb314]

I don't think he will get anywhere close to smith, root, Kohli, Williamson level ever. And primarily a function of the set up and environment he plays in

At this point id ship him off Australia and have him just play Sheffield shield for a couple of years to add some steel to his game

Sorry but too early to tell and frankly not enough sample size to draw enough a conclusion.

He has however looked good whenever he has played even has better numbers at same stage of his career as KW, Kohli, Smith and Root did.

 

[uberkoen]

Babar seems out of form. However, we cannot continue to carry passengers in the team. Out of form players need to go back to domestic and get back in form. Babar is a good player, no doubt but his performances of late have been poor. I'd give him this tournament and see how he fares otherwise drop him for a bit and let him get back to working on the basics and come back when he's ready again.

 

[squarecut]

People are steadfast in refusing to name the team(s) against whom he has played his match-winning century knocks in ODI. All these knocks have come against a team which is ranked ninth in the world.

 

[Xoib]

One thing I have had an issue with in the past as well is his body language. Looks disinterested and weak in the field. We are short of good players who are also big characters.

comes across as a real softie we would be very lucky if he turns out to be our Amla bilaterial series king but goes missing in big moments. He will be no Kohli,Williamson or Smith.

 

[kingusama92]

People are steadfast in refusing to name the team(s) against whom he has played his match-winning century knocks in ODI. All these knocks have come against a team which is ranked ninth in the world.

Did well against Australia too. Averaged 56 against a world-class bowling attack on their grounds.

 

[JaDed]

He has a better track record than Kohli at the same stage of their careers.

Azam = 53 AVG (5 100s and 6 50s) in 27 Matches

Kohli = 50 AVG (2 100s and 8 50s) in 27 Matches

The issue Kohli had the Indian seniors to mentor him and not to forget competition for batting slot, Babar can easily get complacent with his performances.

 

[Square Drive]

Babar was a massive let-down today. Very disappointed.

 

[geraltofrivia]

Babar at a similar stage in their careers is comparable to the big 4 etc. But the other countries have systems where the players just keep on going to new levels. Pakistan doesn't have that. Remember once upon a time Kamran and Dhoni were at the same level. Nasir and Umar also had made a bang. No once comes as an ATG but they are not being able to make the leap to the next level - Malik, Hafeez, Gul etc case in point.

Jadeja, Rohit, Smith, Williamson didn't exactly possess good records in the first few years of their careers but were able to make the leap to another level (with people like Smith taking a larger leap).

Pakistan mai woh next level jump ho nahi raha hai. They get stuck at same level.

 

[Indiafan]

He has a better track record than Kohli at the same stage of their careers.

Azam = 53 AVG (5 100s and 6 50s) in 27 Matches

Kohli = 50 AVG (2 100s and 8 50s) in 27 Matches

kohli showed extreme hunger and discipline.and took.his game to next level

 

[nik45hil]

The bestest thing i have read till date in my life .

Kaamran and dhoni were at same level.....

 

[kingusama92]

Babar at a similar stage in their careers is comparable to the big 4 etc. But the other countries have systems where the players just keep on going to new levels. Pakistan doesn't have that. Remember once upon a time Kamran and Dhoni were at the same level. Nasir and Umar also had made a bang. No once comes as an ATG but they are not being able to make the leap to the next level - Malik, Hafeez, Gul etc case in point.

Jadeja, Rohit, Smith, Williamson didn't exactly possess good records in the first few years of their careers but were able to make the leap to another level (with people like Smith taking a larger leap).

Pakistan mai woh next level jump ho nahi raha hai. They get stuck at same level.

kohli showed extreme hunger and discipline.and took.his game to next level

This I agree with. You guys are spot on.

Prospects in PAK are heavily reliant on self-development or they stagnate. The system itself adds no value.

The same Babar in IND would turn into a superstar.

 

[starbuck]

I think babar can turn into a very good batsmen for Pakistan but he needs keep working on his game to make it better. Strike rotation is one area where I think he can improve through which he can also learn to pace an innings in an ODI. Also hope he gets to play county cricket (test match format not T20), that will also help in improving his game

 

[Justcrazy]

The issue Kohli had the Indian seniors to mentor him and not to forget competition for batting slot, Babar can easily get complacent with his performances.

Babar has the potential , but has to take his game to next level.

Talent is not enough , you need hunger and determination .

I think he has potential to get at least 40 OD hundreds.

 

[Justcrazy]

4/5 of his hundreds have resulted in Pakistan winning the match.

Only one against a quality bowling side.

Not a single one chasing.

 

[Mamoon]

comes across as a real softie we would be very lucky if he turns out to be our Amla bilaterial series king but goes missing in big moments. He will be no Kohli,Williamson or Smith.

Early to say if he is a softie or not, but he really needs to show more intensity in the field. He has no presence and simply coasts along.

 

[dildilpak]

He will do well playing a supporting act to a superstar batsman. Question is, who is that superstar?

 

[Lynx]

Babar's an accumulator and not a 'dynamic' bat as many people think him to be. Dynamic batsman is one who can shift gears whenever he wants to. Babar only has one. Regarding yesterday's match, him playing a maiden over in a reduced match was ABSOLUTE CRIMINAL and he deserves to be criticized as much as the other guys.