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"I would like to be an attacking captain, in the style of Imran Khan" : Babar Azam

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Abdullah719

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Babar Azam at a video press conference:

"Playing without crowds will be difficult. No one knows better than us how difficult it is to play without crowds. We played for 10 years, without almost any crowd in UAE. When you play with the crowd, your effort goes up to 110%. We will miss it and the fans will also.

"Regarding the comparison with Virat Kohli, I think it's better if we don't do this. He's a different player and I'm different, that's what I always say. I always just focus on trying to make my team win.

"I play cricket, I am not a 'gora,' that I know English completely. Yes, I am working on it, but you learn these things over a period of time, you can't just suddenly learn it.

"There's no such thing (that the Head Coach is controlling me). I take decisions myself. If the head coach sees something, he sends a message and gives advice and the rest is up to me. We're not playing for U19 or the A team that someone is signalling decisions for us from outside. So I try to make my decisions independently.

"There's no such thing that if a player doesn't get a central contract, he won't get chances or play for the team. We had Naseem Shah playing like year and also Shoaib Malik and Hafeez bhai. There's no such concept that they can't come into the team or they won't be considered. We will certainly pick them (Wahab, Amir) if we feel they are needed in the team. There's no such thing that if they don't have a central contract, they are out of the team or are being punished. We have spoken to them as well and they know they are available for selection.

"First of all, nothing is more important than life. First, safety comes and when that is assured then we will more forward. PCB are in talks (with ECB) at the moment. When our safety and health is 110% assured then we will move forward.

"I would like to be an attacking captain, in the style of Imran Khan.

"I am focusing on my batting right now. I had a bit of an issue with bowling where I used to chuck a bit, I haven't been able to fix that (laugh). I will try to fix that and once that's done then I can help with the ball as well."
 
:)))

Babar can be funny at times. If he really wants to become that, then he needs to build a personality that everyone respects, and decent at communication.

It doesn't have to be an extroverted type like IK. Misbah didn't speak a lot neither was he colorful, but had a commanding and dominating personality, with full control over the players (by leading from the front).

So, improve the communication and personality first.
 
Interesting comment regarding his bowling. :babar

Imagine if Babar can bowl a few overs too. Wow wow wow :raja
 
Also hopefully posters don't attack him for saying "I'm not a go-ra".

He obviously wasn't being racist here.
 
Interesting comments about the bowling, but I rather that he focuses on his batting completely and the captaincy. No need to take additional burden on.
 
No one I repeat no one including Babar will ever be able to replicate the terror of Imran. They may better his results but can't really instill the same amount of respect and fear in the team.

Having seen Babar, I feel he's not really an attacking personality but I wish I'm wrong. But kudos to him in having right ideas about how to lead the team. Will be very interesting how he deals with the incompetence of 'some' players.
 
He doesn’t have to copy paste Imran but he can emulate him by embodying Imran’s approach to take risks to win games and lead from the front. I really hope Babar can find that extra gear and go in to over drive with this added responsibility.
 
BoomBoomCricket said:
Imran Khan drew 26 of his 48 Tests as Captain. So much for attacking.
Click to expand...

Although Babar is not a test captain yet, let's indulge here.

I do wonder sometime why Imran didn't win more tests as captain. After all, in the era before, Clive Lloyd did. And Richards did better too.

I just think it all comes down to bowling. Imran had only himself and occasionally Qadir as real threats in his attack. That's a 1 1/2 man attack tasked to take 20 wickets. There were other good bowlers but there weren't any world class pairings. Only later, did he get Akram and Waqar in his attack but they weren't fully formed as a lethal unit until 92 when Imran had already faded. You just can't win tests with such a one man dependent attack. And in some tests, like those in mid 80's away series in Australia, he was injured himself, playing as a batsman.

I remember watching cricket in those days and for very long periods of time, nothing would happen, until Imran would come back for a second or third or fourth spell and make things happen with his in dippers. He used to be absolutely lethal and, I am not exaggerating here, much more likely to take wickets than an Akram or a Waqar in all passages of the game, on all surfaces home and away. He would inevitably take wickets when needed. A real thinker who could work out pitches and batsmen.

Coming back to Babar Azam/Azhar, similar problems. The bowling is weak, no matter how much we talk 150+. Shaheen Shah will do well everywhere but he is not Akram at the moment. No clumps if wickets for him yet. Abbas, we need to see if he will fire again after rediscovering his form, or not. Yasir Shah will only work out on suitable pitches. Naseem is too raw. Shadab might not even play many games.

So what common traits he can take from Imran to be like him. Two things. First: Lead from the front. Let his batting shine at all times and absolutely no compromise on his craft. Second: A winning mentality. Always maximize the resources you have, surround yourself with tactical thinkers like Miandad was to Imran but most importantly, do not let the opposition know you are scared of them. Be in their face.

The second area is where I am a bit worried. Not that Babar will not show aggression, but aggression in Pakistan means being energetic and emotional as opposed to methodical and on your game.

Let's see.
 
This is the first time I’ve seen Babar being so open :))

Captaincy making him mentally stronger?
 
Hawkeye said:
:)))

Babar can be funny at times. If he really wants to become that, then he needs to build a personality that everyone respects, and decent at communication.

It doesn't have to be an extroverted type like IK. Misbah didn't speak a lot neither was he colorful, but had a commanding and dominating personality, with full control over the players (by leading from the front).

So, improve the communication and personality first.
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God forbid the day Babar follows Misbah
 
Bleedgreen4ever said:
God forbid the day Babar follows Misbah
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In the interview, Babar was explicitly asked whether he would follow Imran’s aggressiveness or Misbah’s defensive captaincy.

He immediately replied Imran Khan and then proceeded to give the explanation in the OP.

I think the media is missing a much bigger headline here :afridi the way he was so quick to choose Imran Khan, you had to see it :)) I hope he comes good.
 
Slog said:
Different era. Current era is more results oriented
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Even for his era, IK's had more draws.

In 80s,

45% tests resulted in draw if you take all teams.

IK has 55% draw.
 
Corridor of Uncertainty said:
Although Babar is not a test captain yet, let's indulge here.

I do wonder sometime why Imran didn't win more tests as captain. After all, in the era before, Clive Lloyd did. And Richards did better too.
Click to expand...

WI team was at another level so comparing with them is unfair.

But we can see Aus drawing 39% tests in 80s.
Eng had 43% of draw.

Less number of overs played in Pakistan may have resulted in many draws in Pakistan, but flip side is true as well where he won only 3-4 tests outside Pakistan so it's not just about less number of overs played in Pakistan due to light.
 
imran had a high draw ratio cos 15 of his test as captain were against india, he had a 4-0-11 ratio as captain, thats nearly 75% draws.

given the price of losing tests for either country against the other it goes some way to explain his apparent "defensiveness", however pak won 2 series, and drew 1 under his leadership.

pakistani fans would be over the moon if babar azam could lead them to that kinda series record against india assuming they every play tests again.
 
Imran was actually rather an attritional, defensive captain.

His selections were bold - giving debuts at a very young age to Aaqib, Waqar, Moin, Mushy and Zahid Fazal.

But on the pitch he tended to play 3 openers against the West Indies and away in England and Australia and even New Zealand. And his declarations were rather late.
 
Junaids said:
Imran was actually rather an attritional, defensive captain.

His selections were bold - giving debuts at a very young age to Aaqib, Waqar, Moin, Mushy and Zahid Fazal.

But on the pitch he tended to play 3 openers against the West Indies and away in England and Australia and even New Zealand. And his declarations were rather late.
Click to expand...

It could be a function of resource available as well.
 
Buffet said:
It could be a function of resource available as well.
Click to expand...

Absolutely.

Misbah declared late and was defensive as a skipper because he had a defensive mindset.

Imran used defensive tactics when his resources required it. Which was most of the time outside Asia.
 
Weather hes defence or attacking along as he wins matches and series I do not care
 
Sub continent teams played a lot of matches on flat wickets. So co.paring Pakistan draws under Imran with England and Aus is not a fair comparison. WI were all roumd supreme teams under Lloyd and Richards bundled with lots of world class players.
 
Babar is the best batsman from Pakistan but he doesn't seem good for captaincy. He seems like an introverted person.
 
Babar should be his own captain. No need to talk copy Imran who was a brilliant leader, but was a defensive captain.
 
sweep_shot said:
Babar is the best batsman from Pakistan but he doesn't seem good for captaincy. He seems like an introverted person.
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It's either you have ordinary batesman and excellent captain or a brilliant batesman but awful captain which one would you choose
 
shamaan said:
It's either you have ordinary batesman and excellent captain or a brilliant batesman but awful captain which one would you choose
Click to expand...

Generally speaking, good captains are also excellent players. But, there are some players who are naturally introverted and hence they can't be good captains. Tendulkar used to fall under this category.

The main criteria for captaincy is to have the ability to motivate and lead teammates.

Anyone can train hard and become a better player. But, captaincy has to come naturally. You can't coach captaincy.
 
sweep_shot said:
Generally speaking, good captains are also excellent players. But, there are some players who are naturally introverted and hence they can't be good captains. Tendulkar used to fall under this category.

The main criteria for captaincy is to have the ability to motivate and lead teammates.

Anyone can train hard and become a better player. But, captaincy has to come naturally. You can't coach captaincy.
Click to expand...

Not always but yes I agree to extent.as for leading babar has lead from the front in his batting so does this class as motivating.for example babar is main batsman they knows going to score runs will this motivate the rest.having a big player in the team as captain can be motivating to achieve what babar has achieved so far.

Captinacy also comes throw experience I belive he will be similar to Williamson and not kohli regarding captinacy
 
To be honest, I think we should wait before we write Babar off as captain. If you look at Williamson, he's done a very decent job with NZ and he's not your typical 'extroverted motivator.' He looks quite shy, quiet and reserved. All that matters is that you have good cricketing accumen and the the respect of the dressing room.
 
I guess problem with most fans is that they only judge young players and captains on face value and dont give roam to the thoughts like natural development and growth of players and captains.

I am pretty sure nobody predicted when Steve Smith debuted as a leggy who can bat to become the best test batsman, at the same time nobody thought young Kohli would develop into a player he became and there was nothing to suggest to most people that Williamson had what it takes to lead his side so efficiently.

I am not saying Babar is gonna become a legendary captain, nobody can predict that but, throughout cricket history many players and captains developed into something nobody thought they could. Lets see in next couple of years how Babar develops into his role and only after certain time we can pass any judgements.

At the moment he is a 25 years old guy who is new to international captaincy, he is not gonna remain stuck in this point of time.
 
Titan24 said:
I guess problem with most fans is that they only judge young players and captains on face value and dont give roam to the thoughts like natural development and growth of players and captains.

I am pretty sure nobody predicted when Steve Smith debuted as a leggy who can bat to become the best test batsman, at the same time nobody thought young Kohli would develop into a player he became and there was nothing to suggest to most people that Williamson had what it takes to lead his side so efficiently.

I am not saying Babar is gonna become a legendary captain, nobody can predict that but, throughout cricket history many players and captains developed into something nobody thought they could. Lets see in next couple of years how Babar develops into his role and only after certain time we can pass any judgements.

At the moment he is a 25 years old guy who is new to international captaincy, he is not gonna remain stuck in this point of time.
Click to expand...

I belive he will lead his team well and people dont perform I think he will get rid but I belive in presentations and talking wise he may struggle he may be similar to williamson personality wise
 
adamidris said:
To be honest, I think we should wait before we write Babar off as captain. If you look at Williamson, he's done a very decent job with NZ and he's not your typical 'extroverted motivator.' He looks quite shy, quiet and reserved. All that matters is that you have good cricketing accumen and the the respect of the dressing room.
Click to expand...

Correct hes going to be similar to williamson but abit more talk as in the austrlia t20s games I belive he got mad at one of his players sometimes you need that
 
When people talk Imran Khan being an aggressive captain they often refer to body language, presence, persona and the way he carried himself. From a batting point of view he was a defensive captain, encouraging Pakistan's top order to block the hell out of it in the 1992 World Cup when teams like NZ used to smash it around up top with the likes of Mark Greatbatch.
 
BoomBoomCricket said:
When people talk Imran Khan being an aggressive captain they often refer to body language, presence, persona and the way he carried himself. From a batting point of view he was a defensive captain, encouraging Pakistan's top order to block the hell out of it in the 1992 World Cup when teams like NZ used to smash it around up top with the likes of Mark Greatbatch.
Click to expand...

I think Babar is already a great thinker of the game based on what folks like Wasim Akram have said.

If Babar can even to a little extent emulate Imran Khan’s body language and confidence, and serve inspire youngsters in the team with not just his actions with the bat but with his words and interactions too, I think that’s what people want.

Hence the comparisons with Kane Williamson. Similarly tight lipped, but he leads the team with his body language. This is invaluable in pressure games and knock outs. It’s invaluable when you’re trying to turn a team around after initial losses to win a Champions Trophy, or win your last 5 consecutive games of a world cup.

This off the field behavior, I will admit I believe many fans underestimate Babar’s close friendships with many in the dressing room. He is still young and this personality grooming may still happen. Starting early is the best option so that he has time before the 2023 world cup. Let’s hope for the best.
 
PakPremi said:
Sub continent teams played a lot of matches on flat wickets. So co.paring Pakistan draws under Imran with England and Aus is not a fair comparison. WI were all roumd supreme teams under Lloyd and Richards bundled with lots of world class players.
Click to expand...




Anyone even referencing that is crazy, it is like the white elephant in the room no one is pointing at!

Imran against india, had 4-0-11 ratio as captain, nearly 75% as draws, that right there constituting over 20% of all his tests as captain...how are rest of his numbers gonna improve considerably when he played a lot of tests in Pakistan where pitches were good as dead in most cases?

Only an insane person will look at his numbers (without context) and draw the conlcusion most Indians and others are making!
 
BoomBoomCricket said:
When people talk Imran Khan being an aggressive captain they often refer to body language, presence, persona and the way he carried himself. From a batting point of view he was a defensive captain, encouraging Pakistan's top order to block the hell out of it in the 1992 World Cup when teams like NZ used to smash it around up top with the likes of Mark Greatbatch.
Click to expand...



When you know your batting will fold like nine pins, you will always do that and boy was he proven right!
 
I think it’s a mistake to make him captain but hope I am wrong.

I don’t have any issues with his leadership ability, but why trouble the best batsman in the side and risk his form.

I guess if it doesn’t work out the captaincy can always be switched.
 
Misbah speaking to the press:

"In our previous 2 series, our top 5 have been excellent. Our biggest plus has been Babar Azam's performances at #4 and the way he performed in Australia and after that. He is playing like Younis bhai would, leading the way and hitting hundreds, making big scores and dominating the opposition. That's an encouraging sign."
 
Babar’s personality is way too different. He’ll be more of a Williamson/Morgan type of captain. Very calm and stoic.

Imran was flamboyant, proud and confident, qualities that are clearly lacking in Babar.
 
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AdamM97 said:
Babar’s personality is way too different. He’ll be more of a Williamson/Morgan type of captain. Very calm and stoic.

Imran was flamboyant, proud and confident, qualities that are clearly lacking in Babar.
Click to expand...

Did you see when asif ali got out against austrlia when babar was at the crease?
 
You don't become Imran Khan by supporting Malik and Hafeez in the name of seniority.
 
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Thunderbolt14 said:
I didn’t like how Babar reacted, should have kept it cool on the field and talked to Asif later.

Click to expand...

Tbh sometimes you have to he always plays them shots and gets out and now hes not in the squad.trust me people will babar is totally a softly
 
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-partner="tweetdeck"><p lang="en" dir="ltr"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/OnThisDay?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#OnThisDay</a> in 2019. Brilliance from Babar Azam at the World Cup as his innings of 101* took Pakistan to an impressive 6 wicket win over New Zealand at Edgbaston <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Cricket?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Cricket</a> <a href="https://t.co/FZnw8cYEcX">pic.twitter.com/FZnw8cYEcX</a></p>— Saj Sadiq (@Saj_PakPassion) <a href="https://twitter.com/Saj_PakPassion/status/1276461984511393793?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 26, 2020</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
 
MenInG said:
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-partner="tweetdeck"><p lang="en" dir="ltr"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/OnThisDay?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#OnThisDay</a> in 2019. Brilliance from Babar Azam at the World Cup as his innings of 101* took Pakistan to an impressive 6 wicket win over New Zealand at Edgbaston <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Cricket?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Cricket</a> <a href="https://t.co/FZnw8cYEcX">pic.twitter.com/FZnw8cYEcX</a></p>— Saj Sadiq (@Saj_PakPassion) <a href="https://twitter.com/Saj_PakPassion/status/1276461984511393793?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 26, 2020</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
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His best ininings by a country mile
 
I think Babar can easily become Pakistan’s number 1 world cup batsman by the end of his career. Not sure if anyone other than Miandad can lay a claim to it, everyone has failed over the years
 
Thunderbolt14 said:
I think Babar can easily become Pakistan’s number 1 world cup batsman by the end of his career. Not sure if anyone other than Miandad can lay a claim to it, everyone has failed over the years
Click to expand...

Yes defo across three formats azwell miadad was right up thier he was a warrior
 
Babar Azam takes the wicket of Shaheen Shah Afridi!

<div style="width: 100%; height: 0px; position: relative; padding-bottom: 50%;"><iframe src="https://streamable.com/e/k8i17c" frameborder="0" width="100%" height="100%" allowfullscreen style="width: 100%; height: 100%; position: absolute;"></iframe></div>
 
<div style="width: 100%; height: 0px; position: relative; padding-bottom: 50%;"><iframe src="https://streamable.com/e/r4g8vo" frameborder="0" width="100%" height="100%" allowfullscreen style="width: 100%; height: 100%; position: absolute;"></iframe></div>

Younis Khan speaking about Babar Azam's talent and why he should not be compared to others:

"Since we have come to England, I have tried my best to bond with Babar Azam; And this not just true for senior players in the side, I have the same attitude towards the youngest players like Haider Ali and Rohail Nazir (when he was with us) and the idea is to give the same amount of time to the youngest and senior most players"

"There is no doubt in our or the world's minds about Babar's abilities"

"It is important for me and that is what I am teaching Babar is that he needs to take his performances up a notch; He is an excellent player but I would like to convert his current performances to bigger ones; so if he scores a 100 then he should go on to score 150, if he scores 150 then he should convert that to 200 and so on"

"Because, not only does he need to become a good player but he needs to aim to become a legendary batsman or even a legendary cricketer"

"So my aim is to shine his skills more, so that he can perform in a way which allows the Pakistan team to win games and so that we all can become proud of him - not that we arent proud of him now"

"My efforts are geared to help senior players Azhar Ali, Asad Shafiq to put in match winning performances"

"As far as comparison is concerned for Babar with other players - I feel that this should not happen"

"When I came on the scene, and performed in just one or 2 games, I was compared with the great Inzamam-ul-Haq; It was said that look Younis Khan is here so we don't need Inzamam or Ijaz Ahmed; Even at that young age, I asked for no comparisons to be made"

"In the same way, when Sohail Tanvir came on the scene, he was compared to Wasim Akram so it seems we tend to start comparing players too early and that places additional pressure on the players; Instead we should allow them time to achieve their goals then the pressure will be less; I understand that we need these comparisons for the sake of media but it does put pressure"

"I feel that Babar Azam is in his own class but I would like to improve that for him in the future"
 
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Babar looking a bit assertive

zXCMJAORnSMc0MLJxCww_image%20%2810%29.jpg
 
Babar at the post-match press conference:

"My ideal captain is Imran Khan - from what I have heard of his leadership from former players, I know that he was active on the field and took bold decisions so I am trying my best to follow him"
Click to expand...
 
Learning as a skipper, but it's tough to learn on the job in Pakistani cricket as we are an impatient lot :)

I just want him to be a bit more positive at times and not let things drift.

I still feel that he's a bit worried about making decisions that may upset the team management.
 
Yes that's why you had the field spread out allowing Kemar Roach to take easy singles in the 1st Test.
 
Legendary Pakistani fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar has shared his first reaction after former Pakistan skipper Ramiz Raja was announced the new chairperson of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Tuesday. Nominated by Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan, the 1992 World Cup winner with the Green Army has been unanimously elected as the chairman of the apex Pakistani cricket board ahead of the ICC World T20.

By penning a three-year deal, Raja has succeeded Ehsan Mani who had earlier stepped down from the premier post in August. Akhtar, who has been a staunch critic of the PCB and its members, spoke at length about Raja's recent speech at the headquarters of the apex cricket board. Akhtar observed that Raja 'sounded a bit confused' when he delivered his speech on his first day as the newly appointed chairman at the PCB office.

Roped in for a discussion on the cricket show Game On Hai, Akhtar requested Ramiz to not sack Babar Azam from captaincy. "I felt he sounded a bit confused while delivering his speech and touching on a few topics. He wants Babar to emulate Imran Khan and then he also wants to keep a check on Babar for his moves and scrutinize him that won't make him a fearless skipper," Akhtar was quoted as saying.

Raja had earlier worked with the Pakistani cricket board as its chief executive from 2003 to 2004. "From what I've seen Ramiz bhai will be hard on Babar Azam and will try to toughen him up. But it's my humble request that please don't remove him from captaincy," Akhtar said. Azam will lead Pakistan in the upcoming edition of the ICC World T20.

Former Pakistani pacer Akhtar had earlier slammed PCB over the apex board's recent squad announcement for the T20 World Cup. "Ramiz Bhai means good for Pakistan cricket but he needs to be calmer. Giving the media a ***-for-tat for criticism on his role is really not a good idea," Akhtar added.

https://www.timesnownews.com/sports...wants-babar-azam-to-emulate-imran-khan/811949
 
Ok so I guess I can understand why the higher ups in the PCB wanted Babar as captain (won't state the reasons why as that is its own thread) but what I cannot understand is why Babar wanted to emulate Imran as captain when he had the perfect role model captain in the form of Sarfraz, someone who he had played under and could actively get advice from

This is what angers me about our culture. Our pride does not allow for our players to learn from the best and as such the consequences are their to see
 
Does Imran Khan have access to a TV in jail? He wouldn't like Babar's defensive captaincy one bit.
 
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