Do you agree with Babar Azam's inclusion in the T20I squad for the series against South Africa?

[Snowflake]

Just like any there should be a justification for dropping a player from the team, there should be a justification for bringing a player back in the team.

You can't just drop a player, bide some time, and then bring him back with zero performance and hope that it will be different this time around. That is just foolishness. What has changed in Babar's game since he was dropped? What has he done differently?

 

[Ball Blazer]

He is back on ex players and journalists pressure, and public interest most likely not on performance or merit. People still love babar on his past performances and odi performances.

It's Hesson's choice. He is backing Babar

 

[Rana]

It's Hesson's choice. He is backing Babar

Keep telling yourself that.

Hesson was backing Harris, Fakhar, Agha etc too….

Tab bolti kyun band thy?

 

[RizwanT20Champ]

Haris was always going to be bad. I’m not really surprised. I thought he’d be better with the gloves than he was though. Usman has a far higher chance of doing better given he actually did dominate/was the best performer in PSLs and domestic both average and SR. Haris didn’t really impress me even in domestic. I do think Usman is more suited opening in t20s though and of course no guarantee he will perform. But a higher chance than Haris I feel. And Usman hasn’t been given a proper long run in a settled position yet.

Fakhar is a bad player in t20s, who probably would have had a better career had he batted down the order at 4 or 5 most of his career. He was wasted trying to either open or play him at no.3. However it’s probably time we move on from him.

At 3 there has been no one that’s shown to be reliable to glue this fragile line up together filled with unreliable batsmen who have a potential to strike quicker. In fact at no.3 we’ve rarely ever had good batsmen ever. Babar coming in doing a job at 3, provided he can do what he has done in the past at 3 would be an asset to the team.

However I think Babar should only play at no.3 now. Farhan actually has shown greater ability to hit boundaries even if his sr has been weighed down a bit by poor rotation of strike. I feel it actually aids the aggressive openers strategy if there is someone reliable at 3. Too many times in Asia cup, once one of the openers fall, we’d have someone unreliable like Haris etc. at 3 and they’d just run through the order.

Personally I’d like Farhan and Usman to open, Babar at 3. Don’t think it’ll happen as they’ll try and fit Saim in as opener.

Solid post. I have no problem if people want to drop RizBar or even Bradman. Issue is your replacements Fakhar is a failure at T20I, Agha and Harris are pathetic tullas. Farhan is the only semi decent one but he was striking at 116.

 

[BouncerGuy]

Keep telling yourself that.

Hesson was backing Harris, Fakhar, Agha etc too….

Tab bolti kyun band thy?

Fakhar and salman are still there.. Do you back khushdils and Hussain talats??

Crazy..

 

[heddie19]

You fanboys claim he is some world-class superstar, then you end up counting his 30s, 40s and 50s as match-winning and crucial knocks.

What rubbish? When have you seen other world-class players being judged by such contributions?

Kohli was said to have declined horribly in the past few years, but he has played a million of these knocks you just listed in your post.

Many of us have compared him with Kohli in the past seeing his uphill trajectory. That was until 2022. He couldn't live up to the hype and he is definitely not as hardworking as Kohli even if they have the same amount of skill and talent so he will go down as an inferior batter to him. But despite that, he is by far your best batter across formats for past 10 years now. That needs to be respected.

 

[TheSultan]

You “fans” will never learn. The guy is finished and he wasn’t even great to begin with

 

[Rana]

The team looks so so bad with him back

Completely hopeless team and selection

His fitness is as bad as Umar Akmal’s

 

[Asif321]

Welcome back king

 

[PakFan2010]

Pakistan fans who chant Babar have very low IQ.

 

[Rana]

Pakistan fans who chant Babar have very low IQ.

This might offend you but they are all pretty much Imran Khan supporters

 

[heddie19]

This might offend you but they are all pretty much Imran Khan supporters

Both Babar and IK are the heartbeat of Pakistanis. So poor their haters are always constipated and can't digest that fact.

 

[Local.Dada]

Give it a rest. Any batsman can be out for a duck. Had he played 20(30) type knock you can blame him. Have some patience

 

[Rana]

Give it a rest. Any batsman can be out for a duck. Had he played 20(30) type knock you can blame him. Have some patience

Yes, Younis Khan was also a gun ODI batter

 

[Local.Dada]

Yes, Younis Khan was also a gun ODI batter

I never said that.

 

[Rana]

I never said that.

Tu ne kaha ya na ho. Teri fitrat main aisi chawliya mojud hain!

 

[Local.Dada]

Tu ne kaha ya na ho. Teri fitrat main aisi chawliya mojud hain!

Oh so you are attacking me because you think I might say it . That’s chawal supreme in my book.

 

[SherWaqar]

Both Babar and IK are the heartbeat of Pakistanis. So poor their haters are always constipated and can't digest that fact.

Putting Babar in the same sentence as a legend .. Or is it sarcasm

 

[ads101]

I think he needs to be dropped from all formats. He’s just out of form.

Let him get his confidence and form back from domestic and then bring him back in. Start with the loi sides.

Babar as a player in form is an asset in Loi. But there’s no point of him out of form.

 

[tiger_khan]

This might offend you but they are all pretty much Imran Khan supporters

Who do you support?

 

[RyanRyan10]

Give it a rest. Any batsman can be out for a duck. Had he played 20(30) type knock you can blame him. Have some patience

Then why you defend Rizwan's 55 (49) chasing 171?

 

[Local.Dada]

Then why you defend Rizwan's 55 (49) chasing 171?

Different scenario

 

[jnaveen1980]

Babar is following his idol kohli. Two ducks and a 50 after that in match winning cause

 

[Local.Dada]

Babar is following his idol kohli. Two ducks and a 50 after that in match winning cause

50 in dead rubber I assume

 

[heddie19]

Putting Babar in the same sentence as a legend .. Or is it sarcasm

in their own seperate context of course. Doesn't mean they're comparable.

 

[Dr_Bassim]

Once again, if you expect mediocre players to win you matches, you deserve to lose.

There are literally 2 knocks you can remember in Babar's entire career against top class attacks or sides and those are not legendary either.

There are many Pakistani batsmen better than him from yesteryear.

 

[Hitman]

Many of us have compared him with Kohli in the past seeing his uphill trajectory. That was until 2022. He couldn't live up to the hype and he is definitely not as hardworking as Kohli even if they have the same amount of skill and talent so he will go down as an inferior batter to him. But despite that, he is by far your best batter across formats for past 10 years now. That needs to be respected.

Same amount of skills and talent as Kohli?

 

[Sachin fan]

in their own seperate context of course. Doesn't mean they're comparable.

You literally said they have the same amount of skill and talent. So what's your ID on ICF?

 

[BouncerGuy]

There are many Pakistani batsmen better than him from yesteryear.

Which ones???

 

[TheSultan]

Which ones???

Is this even a question?

Zaheer Abbas
Majid Khan
Javed Miandad
Saleem Malik
Saeed Anwar
Inzi
Yousuf
Younis
Ijaz Ahmed

I’d even back Amir Sohail to play for me instead of Babar.

At the rate he’s going, even Umar Akmal will end up having a better record.

Babar is poor technically, has no presence, no confidence, no swagger, can’t play spin, can’t change gears, he’s declining very fast against fast bowling too.

The guy is done and dusted, he should retire

 

[BouncerGuy]

Is this even a question?

Zaheer Abbas
Majid Khan
Javed Miandad
Saleem Malik
Saeed Anwar
Inzi
Yousuf
Younis
Ijaz Ahmed

I’d even back Amir Sohail to play for me instead of Babar.

At the rate he’s going, even Umar Akmal will end up having a better record.

Babar is poor technically, has no presence, no confidence, no swagger, can’t play spin, can’t change gears, he’s declining very fast against fast bowling too.

The guy is done and dusted, he should retire

He said yesteryear.... Now answer

 

[TheSultan]

He said yesteryear.... Now answer

You mean to say these guys are still playing ?

 

[RizwanT20Champ]

Is this even a question?

Zaheer Abbas
Majid Khan
Javed Miandad
Saleem Malik
Saeed Anwar
Inzi
Yousuf
Younis
Ijaz Ahmed

I’d even back Amir Sohail to play for me instead of Babar.

At the rate he’s going, even Umar Akmal will end up having a better record.

Babar is poor technically, has no presence, no confidence, no swagger, can’t play spin, can’t change gears, he’s declining very fast against fast bowling too.

The guy is done and dusted, he should retire

LOL! When you hate someone the bias is real. Firstly what formats are we comparing, none of those guys played T20 so we compare Tests and ODIs. How many of those guys have 31 100s?

From that list only Miandad, Zaheer, Yousuf, Younis and maybe Anwar are worth considering. Younis was terrible in ODIs and Anwar was not flash in tests. Combining ODIs and Tests, at WORST Babar is in the top 5 in our entire history, will likely finish with 60 international centuries by the time he finishes and may surpass all of them eventually. We can discuss his credentials as a T20I batter, but in ODIs he is arguably our GOAT batter. In tests he has fallen away but only Miandad, Inzi, Yousuf and YK are definitely better in tests.

 

[TheSultan]

LOL! When you hate someone the bias is real. Firstly what formats are we comparing, none of those guys played T20 so we compare Tests and ODIs. How many of those guys have 31 100s?

From that list only Miandad, Zaheer, Yousuf, Younis and maybe Anwar are worth considering. Younis was terrible in ODIs and Anwar was not flash in tests. Combining ODIs and Tests, at WORST Babar is in the top 5 in our entire history, will likely finish with 60 international centuries by the time he finishes and may surpass all of them eventually. We can discuss his credentials as a T20I batter, but in ODIs he is arguably our GOAT batter. In tests he has fallen away but only Miandad, Inzi, Yousuf and YK are definitely better in tests.

This is nonsense and you know it. Across eras there have never been as many centuries as there are now.

All of those batsmen I have mentioned are miles ahead of Babar, some light years ahead.

You want to talk about records, even this era, the king is barely averaging 40 in tests

Saeed Anwar wasn’t flash in tests? Man you need some serious education. Book in an appointment with me

 

[Hitman]

It's a joke comparing the ODI records of those who played in the one ball per innings rule with the 2 new ball per innings rule. In the latter era, an idiot can average 45 with the bat.​

 

[bunda_bindaas]

In modern T20 cricket, Babar Azam is not the right choice for any team.

BUT, here's the kicker -- what is Salman Ali Agha doing in the side, let alone captaining it?

That is infinitely worse.

Targeting Babar Azam for T20I performance should be a lower priority than questioning Agha's inclusion in the side.

 

[sweep_shot]

This is nonsense and you know it. Across eras there have never been as many centuries as there are now.

All of those batsmen I have mentioned are miles ahead of Babar, some light years ahead.

You want to talk about records, even this era, the king is barely averaging 40 in tests

Saeed Anwar wasn’t flash in tests? Man you need some serious education. Book in an appointment with me

It is always funny when people compare players from different eras using stats.

Different eras have different benchmarks and different challenges. It is pointless to compare players across eras.

"Average of 40 in 2025" is not the same as "average of 40 in year 1990".

 

[BouncerGuy]

In modern T20 cricket, Babar Azam is not the right choice for any team.

BUT, here's the kicker -- what is Salman Ali Agha doing in the side, let alone captaining it?

That is infinitely worse.

Targeting Babar Azam for T20I performance should be a lower priority than questioning Agha's inclusion in the side.

Even the best player Farhan is not extraordinary.. He is having a similar strike rate, I think even fewer point less than Babar etc,,, Even Fakhar was a joke.. Saim the duck is also there...

Can you believe it, we played Khushdil and Hussain Talat here as well... Joke/

 

[G0rmintAunty]

Let me help you clear your doubts since you don't watch cricket.

1. Stood firm in a D/L chase against SA at around 30* something - CT '17

2. Stood notout in the SF against Eng around 40* something - CT '17

3. Scored a vital 46 and played accumulator's role to its best in his first ever major final - CT '17

4. Scored 65 against ENG after coming from back from the thrashing WI gave us - WC '19

5. Scored 69 against SA in WC '19

6. Scored undefeated 102* against NZ on a very tricky pitch and a must win game - WC '19

7. Scored run a ball 47 against afghanistan in a must win game - WC '19

8. Scored run a ball 96 in a must win game against BD - WC '19

9. Scored undefeated 69* against india in our first WC win over them - T20 WC '21

10. Scored a matchwinning 50 against afghani spin on a turning track of Sharjah - T20 WC '21

11. Scored 195 against Australia to save a test match. (only naming it because Wisden added it into top 5 match-saving innings ever in the history of cricket)

12. Scored 54 in a WC SF - T20 WC' 22

13. Anchored Fakhar in the 402 run chase against NZ in WC '23

14. Scored ton vs Australia on 70 balls in our highest ever run chase in ODI history

15. Scored back to back tons against Australia to win an ODI series against Australia after 30 years.

16. His first test ton vs NZ 2018 - Match winning.

17. Match winning Ton against SL in Karachi 2019

18. Match winning ton in galle 2022 where he partnered with Naseem for the 10th wicket.

Your criteria seems to be if Babar was in the team when Pak won then it was because of his match winning batting/breathing/just standing there/having a match winning drinks break etc etc.

I tried to rebuke but couldn't even get past the first one. So he was the match winner in a match where Fakhar scored the same score of 31 from 23 while Babar scored 31 off 51 and Hafeez scored a similar-ish 26 off 53. Babar was so pivotal in that win that Hassan Ali got MoTM for his incredible 3 wickets.

 

[heddie19]

Your criteria seems to be if Babar was in the team when Pak won then it was because of his match winning batting/breathing/just standing there/having a match winning drinks break etc etc.

I tried to rebuke but couldn't even get past the first one. So he was the match winner in a match where Fakhar scored the same score of 31 from 23 while Babar scored 31 off 51 and Hafeez scored a similar-ish 26 off 53. Babar was so pivotal in that win that Hassan Ali got MoTM for his incredible 3 wickets.

In the team and contributing meaningfully o the win. Ever understood team sport? MOTM doesn't matter. If it does, Babar has 2nd highest MOTM in Pakistan's history and Rizwan is on top. Why isn't Rizwan in the squad then? N'golo Kante wouldn't be a world-class player if he is not scoring or assisting?

 

[heddie19]

You literally said they have the same amount of skill and talent. So what's your ID on ICF?

Now factors that aren't the same.

1. Fitness
2. Hunger (most important factor)
3. Being street smart
4. Mindset

The list can further expand

 

[heddie19]

Same amount of skills and talent as Kohli?

Maybe even more talent. Only if talent was the defining factor in batting, MYK wouldn't have been Pak's GOAT test cricketer.

 

[Sachin fan]

Now factors that aren't the same.

1. Fitness
2. Hunger (most important factor)
3. Being street smart
4. Mindset

The list can further expand

Agree, all those factors matter

But disagree about Babar having more talent and skills. Kohli has way more range of shots, way stronger wrists for some shots you only see a very few cricketer ever play (like azhar, Ponting) and much faster hand eye coordination than Babar.

The only thing I think Babar is more talented in is balance on backfoot offside shots and a better cut. Kohli is much better at everything else

 

[Hellion]

Highest run scorer in T20I cricket. Haters gonna hate

 

[heddie19]

Agree, all those factors matter

But disagree about Babar having more talent and skills. Kohli has way more range of shots, way stronger wrists for some shots you only see a very few cricketer ever play (like azhar, Ponting) and much faster hand eye coordination than Babar.

The only thing I think Babar is more talented in is balance on backfoot offside shots and a better cut. Kohli is much better at everything else

I agree Kohli's wrist work is better but Babar is a better timer of the ball. So its almost even steven in terms of talent imo. I am not forcing anyone to agree with me.

 

[Cover Drive Six]

Talent is subjective, for me KL is more talented and versatile than Kohli and Babar.
But that doesn’t mean KL is better than Kohli. The same goes for Babar. Both KL and Babar are mental midgets who can’t rise to the occasion or elevate their game when the situation demands it.

 

[rpant_gabba]

Talent is subjective, for me KL is more talented and versatile than Kohli and Babar.
But that doesn’t mean KL is better than Kohli. The same goes for Babar. Both KL and Babar are mental midgets who can’t rise to the occasion or elevate their game when the situation demands it.

nonsense. King Babar forever!

 

[The Bald Eagle]

Babar Azam looking in great touch today and brings up his fifty in 36 balls, currently at 51*

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[rpant_gabba]

Babar Azam looking in great touch today and brings up his fifty in 36 balls, currently at 51*

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yes! King Babar is back!

 

[heddie19]

37th T20i Fifty with a SR of 141. Truly the GOAT Pakistani to ever play this format.

 

[ads101]

Played really well today and looked in good form.

It’s great for us if he’s rediscovered form. A proper batsman at 3 that you can rely on is badly missing in this team.

 

[gazza619]

Not a good day for haters.
is back

 

[The Bald Eagle]

yes! King Babar is back!

Where is your king?? In Gabba or Canada?

 

[rpant_gabba]

Where is your king?? In Gabba or Canada?

Baldy G, my focus is king Bobsy! May he rule Pak cricket for a long time with Riz.

 

[The Bald Eagle]

Baldy G, my focus is king Bobsy! May he rule Pak cricket for a long time with Riz.

Ok panty

 

[Asif321]

As long as Bobby bats at 3 . No issues

 

[mon858]

Played really well today and looked in good form.

It’s great for us if he’s rediscovered form. A proper batsman at 3 that you can rely on is badly missing in this team.

Yes, did fine and good for number 3. But do not forget home ground, low score, and c grade attack. Hope he can replicate the same against the regular bowling attacks of top sides and also help chase regular target scores around 170 to 200 also.

Still feel for now he can stay and continue as number 3 given the dearth of skills in batting overall.

Too bad Hasan Nawaz couldn't really pan out in the chances he got, ideally I would have liked him to establish himself as a top 3 batter of our t20 side.

 

[BouncerGuy]

People who were in disagreement are crying in corner... I think the talk should be about naseem and Usman Khan's selection

 

[sweep_shot]

Babar justified his selection in the last 2 games.

He looked much sharper in this series.

 

[gazza619]

Question for you @Rana

 

[globetrotter]

Babar will be at peak of his career in upcoming tri-series against SRL and ZIM.

If England participated then it was difficult Oxford Pakistan to win upcoming tri series

 

[BunnyRabbit]

Think I saw Babar play sweep shot for the first time in his career or after a very very long time.