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Babar Azam's problem with power hitting

TheNightWatchman

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Power hitting is an essential skill today and while he is an excellent stroke player striking @ 90 but the man needs to know when to accelerate once he's required to do so. A batsman of his calliber should be trusted to hit those sixes if need be. It prevents him from being a complete batsman
 
Either that or he should be batting from the start as I've been saying as opener so he has a chance to bat throughout the innings. Because the guy needs to learn how to finish an innings too
 
Not his fault that wickets are falling all around him.

I don't think a judgment can be made on his power-hitting game simply because he hasn't been at the end many times in his career. It's not great but there's not enough evidence to say he lacks it.

I think the biggest chink in his armor is the ability to hit that big daddy hundred. He has 13 hundreds but no scores of 150+
 
Babar is an Amla level ODI player. People should not expect him to play like Kohli and Rohit. He doesn’t possess their ability.

Babar will never be someone who can convert a total of 300 into 350 and chase down big totals.

He is an extremely consistent accumulator but that’s it.

Pakistan has no talent so Babar is worth his weight in gold for us, but let’s not pretend that he is as good as the best the other teams have to offer.
 
Not his fault that wickets are falling all around him.

I don't think a judgment can be made on his power-hitting game simply because he hasn't been at the end many times in his career. It's not great but there's not enough evidence to say he lacks it.

I think the biggest chink in his armor is the ability to hit that big daddy hundred. He has 13 hundreds but no scores of 150+

Him not hitting those power strokes is a reason why he's not getting those Daddy 100s.
 
Looks like he saw your thread. Really letting loose now that he has someone at the other end
 
Babar Azam's power hitting is a joke.

Part timers are bowling for gods sake. Look at what Hasan Ali did, he shot 4 sixes, thats how you treat part tiemrs.

Babar Azam allowed one part timer to get off with 10 overs, another with 7 overs.

Babar is a good batsmen, but plz next time dont mention fab 4 or bring his name anywehere near Virat Kohli.
 
His lack of power hitting and lack of intent in the death overs was badly exposed today.
 
Considering the platform, Babar should have scored a 75 ball hundred here and absolutely laid into Markram.
 
Babar is an Amla level ODI player. People should not expect him to play like Kohli and Rohit. He doesn’t possess their ability.

Babar will never be someone who can convert a total of 300 into 350 and chase down big totals.

He is an extremely consistent accumulator but that’s it.

Pakistan has no talent so Babar is worth his weight in gold for us, but let’s not pretend that he is as good as the best the other teams have to offer.

But if he's getting that number 1 spot he should atleast have that skill in his arsenal
 
He hit some good boundaries in the end but disappointed by his innings today. You cannot call yourself the number 1 batsmen when you are dominated by part timers.
 
nope.

its just that pacer is bowling.

Jonjon smuts and Markram dominated Babar Azam.

So? Pacers are the ones who usually finish an innings off.

They did not dominate him in any way. He had trouble scoring because a wicket was falling in every over.
 
But if he's getting that number 1 spot he should atleast have that skill in his arsenal

ICC player ranking system is faulty. Everyone knows Babar cannot be the best ODI batsman in a world that has Kohli, Rohit, Bairstow, Buttler, Warner etc.
 
94 off 82

Not bad considering the clowns who through their wickets around him
 
Pak deserves Afridi like batsmen. How did Kohli played vs Pak and Aus in 2019 wc and vs Pak in 2017 ct group stage match?
 
Pak deserves Afridi like batsmen. How did Kohli played vs Pak and Aus in 2019 wc and vs Pak in 2017 ct group stage match?

I don’t understand why people make such posts.

Kohli has played innings that Babar cannot play in his dreams.
 
So? Pacers are the ones who usually finish an innings off.

They did not dominate him in any way. He had trouble scoring because a wicket was falling in every over.

Seriously? Did not dominate him?
One Part time bowler was able to keep a 5-6 economy rate against him at death. He only got attacked by Hasan Ali

ANotehr part timer, Markram, who has 2 wickets in his 50 match career, bowled 10 overs with an economy of 4.8

These spinners were used in the death overs. Babar couldn't even connect against them.
 
I don’t understand why people make such posts.

Kohli has played innings that Babar cannot play in his dreams.
He hasn't but 94 off 82 is not as bad as people are making it out. Especially when you consider the middle order collapse
 
Babar Azam's power hitting is a joke.

Part timers are bowling for gods sake. Look at what Hasan Ali did, he shot 4 sixes, thats how you treat part tiemrs.

Babar Azam allowed one part timer to get off with 10 overs, another with 7 overs.

Babar is a good batsmen, but plz next time dont mention fab 4 or bring his name anywehere near Virat Kohli.

First time I agree with you. Plus he could learn some power hitting by Misbah. Not sure Misbah has ability to teach or Babar just don't have the ability due to his body structure.
 
ICC player ranking system is faulty. Everyone knows Babar cannot be the best ODI batsman in a world that has Kohli, Rohit, Bairstow, Buttler, Warner etc.

He's more consistent than atleast 3 of those names. But it's mainly soft runs. Reminds me of post 2000s Tendulkar. But the clutch innings is lacking. Only time I've seen him hit a clutch innings is vs NZ in that WC match
 
ICC player ranking system is faulty. Everyone knows Babar cannot be the best ODI batsman in a world that has Kohli, Rohit, Bairstow, Buttler, Warner etc.

With the exception of Kohli and Rohit; Babar is better than all of these batsmen
 
He hasn't but 94 off 82 is not as bad as people are making it out. Especially when you consider the middle order collapse

Another premature thread. He made this thread before Babar wacked 30 odd off 15 or so balls
 
He hasn't but 94 off 82 is not as bad as people are making it out. Especially when you consider the middle order collapse

Babar has shown limitations in terms of power-hitting throughout his career. If he could switch gears people wouldn’t be criticizing for this. The issue is that this is how he normally plays so this wasn’t a one-off.
 
Like any world class batsman, Azam can go when he needs to. However, he's just too cultured of a batsman to outslog power-hitters. Additionally, given how terrible the middle-order is, he simply cannot take any risks until the last four-five overs.

People really need to get their priorities straight and criticize the players that warrant criticism. Azam is the best thing in Pakistan cricket today.

ICC player ranking system is faulty. Everyone knows Babar cannot be the best ODI batsman in a world that has Kohli, Rohit, Bairstow, Buttler, Warner etc.

Babar Azam is the best ODI batsman in the world. Stats don't care about your thoughts and feelings.
 
First time I agree with you. Plus he could learn some power hitting by Misbah. Not sure Misbah has ability to teach or Babar just don't have the ability due to his body structure.

He needs to bulk up and work on the big shots . He's probably the smallest and weakest of all the batsmen in the top 10 today.
 
With the exception of Kohli and Rohit; Babar is better than all of these batsmen

No he is not. Put Babar in the England ODI team instead of Bairstow or Buttler and England’s batting will suffer.

Replace either of the two with Babar in the Pakistan side and our batting will immediately improve.

Warner has tapered off a bit recently but he’s still better than Babar.
 
It was very disappointing seeing him mistime long hops from Markram and Smuts. He needs to needs to get golf swinging training from Hafeez.
 
No he is not. Put Babar in the England ODI team instead of Bairstow or Buttler and England’s batting will suffer.

Replace either of the two with Babar in the Pakistan side and our batting will immediately improve.

Warner has tapered off a bit recently but he’s still better than Babar.

Why would you put babar in place of butler or bairstow? Put him in place of Root and see.
 
Like any world class batsman, Azam can go when he needs to. However, he's just too cultured of a batsman to outslog power-hitters. Additionally, given how terrible the middle-order is, he simply cannot take any risks until the last four-five overs.

People really need to get their priorities straight and criticize the players that warrant criticism. Azam is the best thing in Pakistan cricket today.



Babar Azam is the best ODI batsman in the world. Stats don't care about your thoughts and feelings.

If Babar was actually the best ODI batsman in the world, Pakistan wouldn’t be 6th in rankings. The same Pakistan team would be top 3 with Kohli, Rohit, Bairstow or Buttler in the team instead of Babar.
 
Seriously? Did not dominate him?
One Part time bowler was able to keep a 5-6 economy rate against him at death. He only got attacked by Hasan Ali

ANotehr part timer, Markram, who has 2 wickets in his 50 match career, bowled 10 overs with an economy of 4.8

These spinners were used in the death overs. Babar couldn't even connect against them.

Do you know what dominating a batsman looks like? When that batsman is struggling to survive off your bowling. All they did was tie him down. They bowled well but Babar had to be extra cautious and preserve his wicket as Pakistan were into their tail by the time Nawaz got out

It worked as he and Hasan smashed 50 off the last 2 overs
 
Who cares..... He is the number one batsman in the world. That’s all that matters.

No what matters is winning games and hitting those clutch innings for your team. I don't care if he breaks Tendulkars record for all it matters. He needs to win games
 
Babar is an Amla level ODI player. People should not expect him to play like Kohli and Rohit. He doesn’t possess their ability.

Babar will never be someone who can convert a total of 300 into 350 and chase down big totals.

He is an extremely consistent accumulator but that’s it.

Pakistan has no talent so Babar is worth his weight in gold for us, but let’s not pretend that he is as good as the best the other teams have to offer.

You say "Amla-level" player as if Amla isn't one of the best ODI openers of all time and that Babar wouldn't end up as the greatest Pakistani batsman by some distance, if he can replicate what Amla did in both tests and ODIs.
 
No he is not. Put Babar in the England ODI team instead of Bairstow or Buttler and England’s batting will suffer.

Replace either of the two with Babar in the Pakistan side and our batting will immediately improve.

Warner has tapered off a bit recently but he’s still better than Babar.

You're delusional that's all I can say. And you have zero statistical evidence to back your claims.
 
Why would you put babar in place of butler or bairstow? Put him in place of Root and see.

Because the comparison was between Babar and Bairstow/Buttler not Root.

You can also compare Babar and Root if you wish. There isn’t much of a difference between the two so England and Pakistan will not be better or worse if a swap between Babar and Root happens.
 
Babar is a improved version of Imam. He is very consistent and can rotate the strike better.

However, if wickets are not falling it is not in Pakistan favour for him to bat too long as he can not accelerate like other top orders batsmen for example Kholi, Buttler, Baistrow, Gayle, Rohit, Warner ect.
 
You say "Amla-level" player as if Amla isn't one of the best ODI openers of all time and that Babar wouldn't end up as the greatest Pakistani batsman by some distance, if he can replicate what Amla did in both tests and ODIs.

Soft runs is what he means.
 
You're delusional that's all I can say. And you have zero statistical evidence to back your claims.

Says the poster who thinks Rizwan is a better batsman than Pant. As I always say, I don’t need certifications from Pakistani supporters. They are the most deluded fans in the world who know nothing about cricket.
 
People criticising him are either naive or stupid or both. At around 250 odd when batsmen at the other end were falling like nine pins, if he had tried to up the rate, pakistan may have been all out for around 260. He is the captain and had to ensure he holds one end up. Some people just keep on chanting kohli and rohit like parrots... those guys have a formidable support cast whereas Babar doesn’t... give Babar the same cushion, and he has a chance to outbat all others.... but I said earlier, all ifs and buts, right now is the time to celebrate his number one ranking.... hey surprise ...that makes him a better batter than any other batter in odis
 
You say "Amla-level" player as if Amla isn't one of the best ODI openers of all time and that Babar wouldn't end up as the greatest Pakistani batsman by some distance, if he can replicate what Amla did in both tests and ODIs.

When did this happened?
 
You say "Amla-level" player as if Amla isn't one of the best ODI openers of all time and that Babar wouldn't end up as the greatest Pakistani batsman by some distance, if he can replicate what Amla did in both tests and ODIs.

Nope.

Amla was a bottler and a zero impact ODI player. He is not even among the top 3 South African openers.

QdK, Gibbs and Kirsten are the top 3 South African ODI openers.
 
Babar is a improved version of Imam. He is very consistent and can rotate the strike better.

However, if wickets are not falling it is not in Pakistan favour for him to bat too long as he can not accelerate like other top orders batsmen for example Kholi, Buttler, Baistrow, Gayle, Rohit, Warner ect.

Ok. Criticising Babar is fine but he's miles miles better than Imam. Babar can still score at a SR of 90 purely by strokeplay and he knows how to rotate strike. The issue here is his ability to shift gears when needed. Right now he only know how to play in 1 gear.
 
If Babar was actually the best ODI batsman in the world, Pakistan wouldn’t be 6th in rankings. The same Pakistan team would be top 3 with Kohli, Rohit, Bairstow or Buttler in the team instead of Babar.

No one batsman can make a team punch that far above its weight. You know this too. Making these silly arguments does nothing for the quality of the discussion here.

Kohli has Rohit and "the best Asian wicketkeeper", Buttler has a team of big guns. Babar has Faheem Ashraf and Sarfaraz Ahmed.
 
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Need Babar to take up golf like Mo Hafeez. Seriously, do the Pak team practice power hitting like the WI team described by Hafeez where all they do is to hit the ball out of the park for like 100 balls, technique be damned? Can Hafeez spend some time helping him and the others out?
 
Babar's 94 off 82 in the context of the innings was brilliant, he could of gone big much earlier had it not been for wickets falling around him.
 
If Babar was actually the best ODI batsman in the world, Pakistan wouldn’t be 6th in rankings. The same Pakistan team would be top 3 with Kohli, Rohit, Bairstow or Buttler in the team instead of Babar.

Even if Pakistan had Kohli or Buttler in the team, I doubt they'd improve significantly given that the bowling attack would remain as mediocre as before. One player won't make a huge difference to this team, as any improvement would be marginal.
 
To be fair to Babar, when you are batting with Sarfraz, Nawaz, Rizwan, Asif Ali, Danish, Shadab, Faheem level batsmen in the middle order and you are also the captain, then the entire responsibility is on you. As we saw in this match and the last one, if someone from the top 3, like Babar, isn't there until the end then we can easily collapse to a very low total.
 
Do you know what dominating a batsman looks like? When that batsman is struggling to survive off your bowling. All they did was tie him down. They bowled well but Babar had to be extra cautious and preserve his wicket as Pakistan were into their tail by the time Nawaz got out

It worked as he and Hasan smashed 50 off the last 2 overs

they did not bowl well. How did they bowl well?

Bowling well at death for a spinner is actually spinning the ball.

They were throwing dollies. Babar wasnt even able to connect a high full toss.
 
Seriously? Did not dominate him?
One Part time bowler was able to keep a 5-6 economy rate against him at death. He only got attacked by Hasan Ali

ANotehr part timer, Markram, who has 2 wickets in his 50 match career, bowled 10 overs with an economy of 4.8

These spinners were used in the death overs. Babar couldn't even connect against them.

Tell your favourite misbah to ask for decent players for the middle order and/or at least resign as Pakistan coach, you will see much better intent from Babar. You know what happens when he gets out. we had a mini collapse, and knowing the Pakistan team he played really well!
 
The REAL pakistani fans are happy... Babar has played a fantastic knock... he has had a good series... set his team up for win twice in 3 games... achieved the number one ranking.... I think there is enough reason for us fans to rejoice.

What’s more... he has also put the myth of captaincy effecting his batting to rest.
 
Don't know why people are so obsessed to make him something that he isn't. He is not a power hitter but doesn't stop him from being one of the best batsmen in the world.
The issue is not Babar it is our non existent middle order.
 
Nope.

Amla was a bottler and a zero impact ODI player. He is not even among the top 3 South African openers.

QdK, Gibbs and Kirsten are the top 3 South African ODI openers.

In your world, perhaps. Then again, in your world Babar Azam is an inferior ODI batsman to these three players as well. Mind telling me which of QdK or Babar batted better in this series?
 
Need Babar to take up golf like Mo Hafeez. Seriously, do the Pak team practice power hitting like the WI team described by Hafeez where all they do is to hit the ball out of the park for like 100 balls, technique be damned? Can Hafeez spend some time helping him and the others out?

Not a hafeez fan by any stretch but Will say this. hafeez definitely improved his striking ability in the past 2 years so maybe you're right
 
Babar is the best batsman we have produced in years and some clowns are criticising him for his power hitting. In case these people don’t know, there is more to batting than just power hitting. Who cares if he can’t play shots that Kohli can? Why the hell are we comparing? If power hitting is everything, then play a team full of Asif Alis, Ifthikar Ahmads, Umar Akmals of this world. Kick Babar out of the team and we won’t even cross 200 in most matches.
 
Fans have unrealistic expectations. Would be better if some examples of other knocks of top order batsmen in similar situation where wickets kept on falling (5 wickets from 35 to 45 overs with 50 odd runs) but he kept on going berserk while setting up a target and successfully did that. The middle order does as poor as Rizwan, Sarfaraz, Faheem and Nawaz did combined its unrealistic to expect last standing batsmen to have enough of a brain fade to go all out while everyone is falling apart.

Its a team game and I think it was sensible that Babar remained there when others fell otherwise even Hassan would have been a lone warrior.

Its just my opinion based upon how every other team has to tack a back seat as well when they loose 5 for 50 odd before last 5 overs. Stats can be studied that how loosing 5 wickets so quickly before 45 overs (A wicket fell every over or two from 35 overs till 45) can put the break on any batting lineup.
 
Don't know why people are so obsessed to make him something that he isn't. He is not a power hitter but doesn't stop him from being one of the best batsmen in the world.
The issue is not Babar it is our non existent middle order.

Would you back babar to score 40 last 3 overs while chasing like Kohli? It's a skill he needs to learn
 
In your world, perhaps. Then again, in your world Babar Azam is an inferior ODI batsman to these three players as well. Mind telling me which of QdK or Babar batted better in this series?

Sheryas iyer is beeter than babar in his world.
 
When did this happened?

Soft runs is what he means.

Once again, stats do not care about your opinions or feelings.

When you average around 50 with a SR around 100, you are an elite batsman. When you break world records with every innings you play or century you score, you are one of the greats.

Babar Azam is outscoring everyone in the history of cricket, like Amla before him. What they do is exceptional and they do not need to be able to smack some trundlers around on a road for a 50-ball hundred to be worth their weight in gold.

Despite this, both of them were more than capable of doing so. Go watch their T20 innings if you want to see them play some blazing innings.
 
It wouldn’t really be a problem if Pakistan built the side around him. Instead the lineup is full of players who only bat the same accumulating fashion. We will never reach the level of the top teams if genuine stroke makers aren’t backed over the likes of Imam, Rizwan, Sarfraz. Just can’t afford to have 3 anchors in your top 4.
 
Fans have unrealistic expectations. Would be better if some examples of other knocks of top order batsmen in similar situation where wickets kept on falling (5 wickets from 35 to 45 overs with 50 odd runs) but he kept on going berserk while setting up a target and successfully did that. The middle order does as poor as Rizwan, Sarfaraz, Faheem and Nawaz did combined its unrealistic to expect last standing batsmen to have enough of a brain fade to go all out while everyone is falling apart.

Its a team game and I think it was sensible that Babar remained there when others fell otherwise even Hassan would have been a lone warrior.

Its just my opinion based upon how every other team has to tack a back seat as well when they loose 5 for 50 odd before last 5 overs. Stats can be studied that how loosing 5 wickets so quickly before 45 overs (A wicket fell every over or two from 35 overs till 45) can put the break on any batting lineup for.

Thats what I ma saying. Give an example of how Kohli played or Smith or Root or Williamson played in a similar situation instead saying the would have played a certain way. Visit any Indian forum and see them ******** on Kohli for playing slow. Truth is most of the fans have'nt played competitive cricket and the players in the middle are in a better position to access the condotions
 
Would you back babar to score 40 last 3 overs while chasing like Kohli? It's a skill he needs to learn

I wouldn't have backed a 26-year old Kohli to be able to negotiate my grandma's pace bowling on helpful surfaces. It took Kohli years to learn to play swing and seam. Babar will learn to chase those 320+ targets.
 
Babar career has shown at his very best, he will be able to score at a strike rate of 130-140.

He is capped to accelerate any quicker, whoever the bowler.
 
So? Pacers are the ones who usually finish an innings off.

They did not dominate him in any way. He had trouble scoring because a wicket was falling in every over.

Amazing only Pakistani fans cry when a batsman is scoring mountains of runs in all formats and that too at a good strike rate, effortlessly and with fluency, in dreamlike fashion. His scoring rate is perfect. We do not deserve him. Lol@Mamoon calling him accumulator, he needs to look up description. He needs to understand what accumulator is in cricket.
 
England have Joe Root at number 3 as the lynchpin who bats through whilst the other batsmen explode. Pakistan need to find the players to fit around Babar to be able to do the same.
 
Pakistan top 4 is settled, not the best but the best Pakistan can offer. The problem is in the middle order where wicket keepers are playing as specialist batsmen and bowlers are batting at 6.
 
He is the number batsman in odis now nah?
Congratulations to all the pakistani here, consistency deserves recognition.
 
Once again, stats do not care about your opinions or feelings.

When you average around 50 with a SR around 100, you are an elite batsman. When you break world records with every innings you play or century you score, you are one of the greats.

Babar Azam is outscoring everyone in the history of cricket, like Amla before him. What they do is exceptional and they do not need to be able to smack some trundlers around on a road for a 50-ball hundred to be worth their weight in gold.

Despite this, both of them were more than capable of doing so. Go watch their T20 innings if you want to see them play some blazing innings.

It's an obvious deficiency in his arsenal. If he wants to win games he needs to learn how to do that. It's match and situation dependent. I don't want to learn the hardway in a world cup final and a RRR of 13+ in 6 overs that he can't hit the ball
 
Suddenly Zaman has started playing like a world class opener, good days for pak cricket finally?
 
Babar scored 94 from 82 balls and clowns are calling him selfish. Considering wickets were falling around him, he played a great innings. If it weren’t for his innings, we would have been all out for 270,, instead of 320-7. Instead of criticising him, players like Rizwan, Sarfraz, Nawaz, Faheem should be criticised for not contributing anything with the bat.
 
To be fair to Babar, when you are batting with Sarfraz, Nawaz, Rizwan, Asif Ali, Danish, Shadab, Faheem level batsmen in the middle order and you are also the captain, then the entire responsibility is on you. As we saw in this match and the last one, if someone from the top 3, like Babar, isn't there until the end then we can easily collapse to a very low total.

This

Yes he can improve this aspect but when you havent got any support from the middle order who cant hold a bat between them its difficult to score at 150 sr
 
Batted excellently today and deserved a 100. If he had an ego and took more risks and good out then we wouldnt have scored 280.
 
Babar is the best batsman we have produced in years and some clowns are criticising him for his power hitting. In case these people don’t know, there is more to batting than just power hitting. Who cares if he can’t play shots that Kohli can? Why the hell are we comparing? If power hitting is everything, then play a team full of Asif Alis, Ifthikar Ahmads, Umar Akmals of this world. Kick Babar out of the team and we won’t even cross 200 in most matches.
Posters need to complain about something. Two months ago it was Babar cannot play spinners just because he was little rusty against SA at home, coming back from injury. Now he dealt with Shamshi and Maharaj they need to bring back but he does not hit 6s like Kohli. Lol. As if Kohli is the only batsman that matters. Look at the ranking and Babar is no 1 and he has now played two match winning innings in this series.
 
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