"If someone stayed with me, I could have scored a hundred" : Babar Azam

[Zeeraq]

"Every set batsman lost their wicket today due to their own mistakes"

"I had hopes [of scoring a century] and I was telling the tailenders to not do anything in haste but they did that"

"I had it in my mind that if someone stayed with me, I could score a hundred"

"I do as I am told by the team management and coach, I don't worry about what number I am batting on"

"Or I can perform well on a certain batting position only"

"Our goal will be to get New Zealand out tomorrow as soon as possible as that will be best for us"

"The behaviour of the pitch was slow at the beginning and its slowing down further"

"I like whatever format of the game I am playing in; its a game of the right mindset as you need to change your game as per format; I like all 3 formats"

"I was telling Yasir Shah not to be in haste and to take his time as we had a lot of time left in the match and I was with him"

"But he [Yasir] thought that the ball was within his reach and he took that chance"

 

[MenInG]

There is simplicity in Babar-speak but the fact is he is our best batsman!

 

[CricketDon]

A lot of “ me me me aand my and I” nothing about the team. Speaks volumes.

 

[The Viper]

He is right that nobody went on and scored. But he can’t really blame Yasir. He did play a rash shot but Babar should have adapted and protected the tail.

 

[MMHS]

After Asad got played on, PAK was leading by 20+ with 5 wickets at hand & one set batsman at one end, in a tight game - then next 4 tail-enders got out playing attacking shots, including one stumping; finally Babar was out as last man - he should be a bit upset indeed. I would have blamed him (for exposing tail) had those 4 got out to unplayable balls, but they didn’t bother to hang around!!!

 

[Gullycricket]

A lot of “ me me me aand my and I” nothing about the team. Speaks volumes.

Then what do you want him to say.

 

[Darkrai]

A lot of “ me me me aand my and I” nothing about the team. Speaks volumes.

Your post speaks volumes as well. Always find something to moan about.

If he is asked what format he likes is he supposed to say the team likes all format?

When asked, he says i bat where the team wants me to bat then how is it about himself?

When he says he wanted to score a 100, don't you think the management wants to him score 100s and win them matches?

The coaching staff has drilled it in him that he needs to bat longer and score 100s, yet somehow he is selfish for doing what he is told.

 

[angrypathan]

Seems to be far more upset about not getting a century than about not ensuring we got a much healthier lead on the board, telling

 

[Darkrai]

Seems to be far more upset about not getting a century than about not ensuring we got a much healthier lead on the board, telling

In case you didn't know getting a 100 would mean the team would have much healthier lead.

 

[Amjid Javed]

There is simplicity in Babar-speak but the fact is he is our best batsman!

Best batsmen in tests? Hes not even proven test player yet.

 

[Darkrai]

Best batsmen in tests? Hes not even proven test player yet.

I'm sorry, but are you waiting for Bradman to show up? Don't act like this Pakistan team is some ATG team where players like Babar can't even be considered Test players.

Last 12 months:

Babar Avg 55

And here are your "Test" players:

Shafiq avg 36
Haris avg 35
Imam avg 38
Sarfraz avg 27
Azhar avg 17
Hafeez avg 34

 

[Finisher]

He was taking singles at the start of the over and expecting tailenders to farm the strike.

 

[Cpt. Rishwat]

A lot of “ me me me aand my and I” nothing about the team. Speaks volumes.

His batting is often selfish so no surprise there, but he is right in what he says. NZ are a tough side to beat, if you can't apply yourselves as a team to the task, it would be wrong to expect a victory. Pakistan took their eye off the ball, as they are wont to do, and I expect NZ will punish them for it.

 

[GLORY OF '92]

Babar is setting in but without Azhar we are struggling big time. Need Azhar back in form asap otherwise we will lose this series and 3-0 to SA.

 

[MenInG]

His handling of the tail was lamentable. Told them not to play with haste etc sounds like couldnt be bothered. Surely he should have been designing the innings at the end?

 

[happydavy]

There is nothing wrong about what he said, but whether he should have said that, I am not sure. Doesn't look good if you blame your teammates out in open and that too in the middle of a match. These things are best said inside the dressing room.

 

[Pete Rose]

this was an interesting press conference.

 

[rhony]

A lot of “ me me me aand my and I” nothing about the team. Speaks volumes.

Listen to Gavaskar's commentary. He emphasises 50's and 100's so much it's cringeworthy. I saw the same with Sachin and now Babar

 

[Abdullah]

A lot of “ me me me aand my and I” nothing about the team. Speaks volumes.

He said it how it is. Top order gave it away, and lower order didn't stick it out when they were capable given the conditions.

 

[Itachi]

A selfish, NOT a team player in my opinion.

 

[PakHammer]

Whatever you say about Asad...he was good playing at number 6 with the tail. Azhar was good opening too. Dont know why the think tank change player's positions when they are suited to that spot?

 

[Buffet]

He was taking singles at the start of the over and expecting tailenders to farm the strike.

He is young. Farming the strike will come with experience. Since he wasn't scoring too many runs, he may be simply too focused on getting runs for himself.

 

[Mamoon]

A refreshingly selfish presser.

 

[Dark_Horse]

its just the desire of his first hundred thats why he spoke like that further more he didnot have the experience of batting with tailenders

 

[gazza619]

Thats why he needs to bat higher than no.6

 

[Rayyman]

Breath of fresh air in a culture know for it's overly selfless, passive behavior.

 

[Usman Chadda]

This statement would hold much more weight had he not got out in the stupid manner he did. Could have stretched our lead a little bit.

 

[coy0607]

Thats why he needs to bat higher than no.6

he's inarguably the best bat in this team. He should absolutely be batting above con artists like Azhar and Asad

 

[PakSarZameen]

Seems to be far more upset about not getting a century than about not ensuring we got a much healthier lead on the board, telling

Agreed. Selfish player who only care about his statistics.

 

[Hasan123]

He seems annoyed at not getting a century.

 

[Nasty Naz]

Agreed. Selfish player who only care about his statistics.

lol it's a Test match. Every player should be selfish and trying to score as many runs as possible.

And every bowler should be selfish and try to take all the wickets himself.

 

[coy0607]

He seems annoyed at not getting a century.

as he should be.. playing with a pathetic bunch of washed-up 35+ year olds, and batting below them no less

Babar is 10 times the batsmen Hafeez or Azhar ever were

 

[iPakistani]

If he farmed the strike and couldn't make runs you would have called him selfish, if he's rotating the strike to batsmen such as Yasir Shah or Bilal Asif (who can bat) he is still selfish according to posters.

 

[Eagle_Eye]

never liked babar azam..... akmal genetics at play here

 

[Joseph Gomes]

I would rather take selfish batsmen in tests who want to score centuries. This is not ODI where selfish can cost the game, since SR is not a factor. All Pak batsmen should look forward to score hundreds in tests.

 

[Chief Destroyer]

Lmao, he put em all on blast.

 

[Blistering Barnacle]

He is young. Farming the strike will come with experience.

I don't think it requires any particular brains or experience to farm the strike. Just try to hog the strike and then get a single towards the end of the over. Simple.

 

[Shams123]

What he has said is absolutely correct but should have avoided such brutal honesty in front of journalists.

 

[Smudger]

Maybe the journalist asked whether he belived he could get a hundred but the experts here dont bother to think that

 

[MenInG]

Maybe the journalist asked whether he belived he could get a hundred but the experts here dont bother to think that

Yes that's what they asked but his answer is what is important.

 

[CricVet]

In Pak, what needs to be public finds a dark side and vice versa. We don't know when to shut or speak up.

 

[Shafi]

Tailenders will not play 20-30 overs to protect you so you can 1 run in every over and score 100.
Typical selfish player. Even Umar Akmal was more team man than you.

 

[MenInG]

Babar is not a good public speaker period. Pak media guys need to either educate our players or not send them out to face media.

 

[JibranAnsari]

My century.

Bro you needed to guard the tail , you take single on the first ball and expect the tailender to support you.

 

[JibranAnsari]

These akmal genes are no good.

 

[Abdullah Rabbani]

Babar is not a good public speaker period. Pak media guys need to either educate our players or not send them out to face media.

He is good than rest of players , what these people want to listen that management said don't score hundred.
Hundred's win matches in test he is young he never play much with tailenders criticise sarfraz, haris , bilal and who throw wickets cheaply don't take much lead

 

[Saj]

Batting with the tail is an art and one that Babar obviously needs to work on.

I like the fact that he's thinking of 100s and not just satisfied with a 50.

 

[Shandarchowka]

I hope Babar focuses more on the team than his hundreds..

 

[Markhor]

Babar lacked support but did expose tail to too many deliveries. Maybe it's due to inexperience of batting at #6 but at that position he has to farm the strike more.

 

[jusarrived]

That was easily his best innings so far needs more of these knocks to be taken seriously .

 

[Cpt. Rishwat]

lol it's a Test match. Every player should be selfish and trying to score as many runs as possible.

And every bowler should be selfish and try to take all the wickets himself.

Problem is, he does the same in ODI's, will often slow down to reach a milestone at the tail end of the innings when you need the batsmen to start playing more aggressively. Other than that he is Pakistan's best batsman comfortably.

 

[Blistering Barnacle]

Batting with the tail is an art and one that Babar obviously needs to work on.

I don't see why it is such an "art". Maybe "skill" in order to be able to get off strike towards the end of the over, but aside from that it's really very basic and simple.

Babar played a good innings. But any cricket fan could tell you that taking a single off the first few balls of an over is not helping your chances of prolonging the innings when playing with the tail.

 

[The Googly]

I really rate Babar. Our players have a limited education so we need to bear that in mind if analysiing their interviews. I’m more interested in their cricket then their talk to be honest.

What is clear is that Babar is starting to perform in tests. What is also clear is that he needs to learn how to protect the tail. He only has himself to blame.

 

[mastersaan10]

We need to drop azhar Ali for fakhar zaman, and Babar needs to bat and talk with some sense. He is sounding like ahmed Shahzad here when he is the only person to be blamed for not "getting A hundred. " In all honesty there was no way he was getting there batting like that, babar needs to look at foakes to see how you bat with the tail.

 

[Zeeraq]

Breath of a fresh air to see a Pakistani batsman who 'selfishly' wants to score a 100 in every opportunity he gets compared to our other batsmen who are content with 50s.

 

[Greenstorm]

That was easily his best innings so far needs more of these knocks to be taken seriously .

No it is not. One in NZ and England were better.

 

[Greenstorm]

Nice to see a Pakistani batsman who is hungry to score runs in every innings.

 

[Ab Fan]

No it is not. One in NZ and England were better.

None in England were better.

His best were 90 odd in NZ although a hopeless inning and the other one is 99 vs Australia.

 

[Sunny_majoka]

Nice to see he wants to get hundreds rather than 30s and 40s.
Our so called experts should understand that he is easily our best batsman.
He is not selfish he plays in his zone.
Which is helping our team.
We should be thankful that finally we have found a run machine.

 

[MenInG]

Nice to see he wants to get hundreds rather than 30s and 40s.
Our so called experts should understand that he is easily our best batsman.
He is not selfish he plays in his zone.
Which is helping our team.
We should be thankful that finally we have found a run machine.

Mickey Arthur thinks highly of him so those hoping for him to go away can wish all they want to but it ain't happening.

 

[Badsha]

Babar is not a good public speaker period. Pak media guys need to either educate our players or not send them out to face media.

He is not running for congress. Who cares what they say to the media. Your average cricket fan isn't browsing the media.

 

[MenInG]

He is not running for congress. Who cares what they say to the media. Your average cricket fan isn't browsing the media.

Not sure what you mean? He is being presented to the media so of course we all care what he is saying!

 

[Nasty Naz]

Problem is, he does the same in ODI's, will often slow down to reach a milestone at the tail end of the innings when you need the batsmen to start playing more aggressively. Other than that he is Pakistan's best batsman comfortably.

Literally, his last ODI match was him trying to slog while at 92.

He is simply not a big hitter but still has a pretty solid 84.77 SR considering the amount of runs he scores.

 

[Saj]

Interesting watching Grant Flower talking about Babar and saying he's not a natural T20 batsman or big hitter but his skills help him do well even in that format.

 

[BunnyRabbit]

Needs to spend some time with Inzi, one of the greatest batters with the tail. Hopefully he can learn how to shield the tailenders while scoring himself.

The Port Elizabeth 92* with a broken finger(batting with Sami, Shoaib, Kaneria and Asif) and 70 odd not out (with Kami, Rana Naved, Rao Iftikhar, Abdul Rehman) in the 2nd ODI WI by Inzi are still afresh in my memory like it was yesterday.

 

[TalentSpotterPk]

If Pakistan want to give respectable target to SA to chase in fourth innings than Mickey should intervene now and tell Babar to hide Sarfraz from SA pacers atleast for the timebeing.


Babar should expose Captain less to these hungry SA quality pacers. Sarfraz needs to be at non strikers end most of the time.


Babar should play like the way he played in last Test. Aggressively because others can't bat.

 

[DRsohail]

If Pakistan want to give respectable target to SA to chase in fourth innings than Mickey should intervene now and tell Babar to hide Sarfraz from SA pacers atleast for the timebeing.


Babar should expose Captain less to these hungry SA quality pacers. Sarfraz needs to be at non strikers end most of the time.


Babar should play like the way he played in last Test. Aggressively because others can't bat.

So captain shpuld have hidden.What a shame.

 

[TalentSpotterPk]

Babar Azam come onnnnn yaaaarrr.


Why did you take that single and expose Amir to Steyn.


Shield the tail man and play like last Test.

 

[TalentSpotterPk]

So captain shpuld have hidden.What a shame.

That's embarassing but He is a tailender in SA, Aus, NZ & UK.


Did you see him walk down the wicket to philander's outswinger (good length) and trying to flick him through midwicket ?


Sarfraz these are not SL, BD, Uae surfaces and average opposing pacers.

 

[Khwaja78]

No wonder Pakistan has the worst top 5 in terms of partnerships.
His and Asads 100 is more important than the team. Selfish players.
Player from another country would say I hope my 100 helps the team. This is the level the selectors have reduced this team to. He should'nt play another match for Pakistan. We need players who play to contribute.
If they score a 50 or 100, its a bonus. More important than any player score is the team total

 

[Amjid Javed]

With our pathetic tail starting at 7 babar needs to learn to farm the tail and hog strike if he wants to get 100s.

 

[ask_analyse_act]

No wonder Pakistan has the worst top 5 in terms of partnerships.
His and Asads 100 is more important than the team. Selfish players.
Player from another country would say I hope my 100 helps the team. This is the level the selectors have reduced this team to. He should'nt play another match for Pakistan. We need players who play to contribute.
If they score a 50 or 100, its a bonus. More important than any player score is the team total

How many hundreds were scored by a no.6 batsman. I think asad equalled sobers recently if im correct. Hundreds and 200s were usually scored by the top 4. He should bat higher up the order, having said that he has failed to shine at no.3 previously. May be at no.4 should help him and the team.

 

[Abdullah]

If Pakistan want to give respectable target to SA to chase in fourth innings than Mickey should intervene now and tell Babar to hide Sarfraz from SA pacers atleast for the timebeing.


Babar should expose Captain less to these hungry SA quality pacers. Sarfraz needs to be at non strikers end most of the time.


Babar should play like the way he played in last Test. Aggressively because others can't bat.

This will work because when sarfaraz is batting the field will not be spread when Babar is facing up and sarfaraz will be at non strikers end. Here they are giving a single

 

[aukhan]

Shield our tailenders thats the only way babar can score a hundred tomorrow. Best of luck for tomorrow.

 

[Suleiman]

That’s all he cares about. A future villain while Masood is the next hero. The next generation’s Misbah v Afridi epic.

 

[Madplayer]

That’s all he cares about. A future villain while Masood is the next hero. The next generation’s Misbah v Afridi epic.

He is not a lower order batsman. Why is it so hard to understand that he doesnt belong at 6 and doesnt know how to bat with the tail because he hasnt been prepared for that in domestic cricket?

 

[Khwaja78]

How many hundreds were scored by a no.6 batsman. I think asad equalled sobers recently if im correct. Hundreds and 200s were usually scored by the top 4. He should bat higher up the order, having said that he has failed to shine at no.3 previously. May be at no.4 should help him and the team.

Wow comparing this dud with Sobers, do you even know how Sobers fought for his team and score 300+ runs? Something this joke can't do even in his dreams.

He has played 130+ innings and still if one is looking to find a position fro him to keep him in the tean it only shows he does'nt deserve to stay in the lineup and needs to be kicked out with Azhar.

 

[TalentSpotterPk]

Babar missed a century today by not shielding Amir & Yasir.

Yasir's batting since his comeback has deteriorated massively. He is a genuine number 11.

 

[Fahdi]

That’s all he cares about. A future villain while Masood is the next hero. The next generation’s Misbah v Afridi epic.

That's all a batsman should care about in Tests. Scoring hundred, daddy hundreds and boosting averages. The runs at the end go the team. As a natural stroke-maker he even does it at a good rate. I want Babar to care even more about his hundreds, we can reap the rewards.

 

[Abdullah]

I don't think u normally sheild a number 8.
Even a number 9. Amir and Yasir are capable of holding a bat.
So I think he is getting some unfairness here