What's new

Is Babar Azam cut out for Test cricket?

Hasan123 said:
As if we are producing elite level batsmen who can take his place. He stays in the team. If Sarfraz has no replacement there certainly isn't one for Babar.
Click to expand...

Why is Babar getting a free ride in Pakistan team? It is very obvious by now that he is neither a test class batsman nor a useful batsman against any half decent team in ODIs.
 
Rahul1 said:
Why is Babar getting a free ride in Pakistan team? It is very obvious by now that he is neither a test class batsman nor a useful batsman against any half decent team in ODIs.
Click to expand...

What options do they have?
 
Pakistan cricket would have to be slightly more patient here. Babar is easily your best bat across formats. Having said that he should look to capitalise on opportunities like these in the future. Considering now he bats at 5 which is a pretty shielded position so expecting him to score consistent fifties.
 
Nice to see golden boy being wrapped up with cotton blankets to protect him from facing the new ball and hence becoming a failed investment. You only succeed if someone wants you to succeed... He will never be a top player until he shies away from playing in the no.3 spot.
 
Last edited:
Why people are hell bent in ending Babar career, same is the case with KL Rahul.

Both are talented players will come good!

Compare this with Rohit Sharma he got decades of backing finally started showing results only in LoI, Rohit is still miss-fit in Tests.
 
Rahul1 said:
Why is Babar getting a free ride in Pakistan team? It is very obvious by now that he is neither a test class batsman nor a useful batsman against any half decent team in ODIs.
Click to expand...

Our first class cricket is rubbish. It won't improve him. He will regress if he is sent back. He is clearly one of the best batsmen in Pakistan. We have no choice but to stick with him for now.
 
Kid has potential, need to show patience with him just like Indians must show patience with KL Rahul. Give such cricketers a continuous run for 18 months and I can assure you the results will show.
 
Rahul1 said:
Why is Babar getting a free ride in Pakistan team? It is very obvious by now that he is neither a test class batsman nor a useful batsman against any half decent team in ODIs.
Click to expand...

He played vital innings in tough situations in Ireland and England. If anything he reinforced his selection in the test side although he still needs to nail it down. I'm glad Pakistani selectors persisted with him and I hope they continue to. He has a bright future for Pakistan.
 
Come on lads. One failure, that too a run out. Have patience guys!
 
Babar has a FC average of 35. If people were suddenly expecting him to average 50 in test cricket, then they only have themselves to blame. He might ramp up to that level. But it will take more time.
 
He is certainly capable and it's a smart move to bat down the order. He almost scored a hundred in England not too long ago and has a decent score in NZ too.
 
Considering how slow we bat in general in tests, Babar getting going in the innings will provide a boost to the RR (if only a little).
 
the_outsider said:
Babar has a FC average of 35. If people were suddenly expecting him to average 50 in test cricket, then they only have themselves to blame. He might ramp up to that level. But it will take more time.
Click to expand...

He can still do it, Kallis did it. Kallis averaged under 30 for first 20 tests. If Kallis debuted now people would've asked for his head on social media.
 
Joseph Gomes said:
He can still do it, Kallis did it. Kallis averaged under 30 for first 20 tests. If Kallis debuted now people would've asked for his head on social media.
Click to expand...

Yes he can. He's only 24 years old. But a lot of fans seem to be expecting this to happen right away and it won't. It will take another 2-3 years.
 
the_outsider said:
Yes he can. He's only 24 years old. But a lot of fans seem to be expecting this to happen right away and it won't. It will take another 2-3 years.
Click to expand...

I guess. Even Kohli had to wait 3 years to become a regular in test squad, and 6 years to become a great test batsman. Although India put faith in Kohli because of his amazing ODI knocks. Babar has to start doing the same in ODIs if he wants to be viable for consideration. So far he seems to be like Amla with one gear.

Still, Babar still needs to be given more chances.
 
Joseph Gomes said:
I guess. Even Kohli had to wait 3 years to become a regular in test squad, and 6 years to become a great test batsman. Although India put faith in Kohli because of his amazing ODI knocks. Babar has to start doing the same in ODIs if he wants to be viable for consideration. So far he seems to be like Amla with one gear.

Still, Babar still needs to be given more chances.
Click to expand...

Kohli was only dropped once. That too after the debut series away against WI in 2011. He missed the subsequent away series in England. Then he was back to the team against WI at home in Nov 2011. He has been a regular since. The point is, he only missed one series.
 
WengerOut said:
Kohli was only dropped once. That too after the debut series away against WI in 2011. He missed the subsequent away series in England. Then he was back to the team against WI at home in Nov 2011. He has been a regular since. The point is, he only missed one series.
Click to expand...

That was not my point. I meant Kohli had to wait quite a long time to be a great test batsman. He averaged below 40 after 29 tests. Babar still has chance to catch up, whether he will or not is another story.
 
Babar Azam is worthless test batsmen and regressing quickly in limited overs too, in my opinion, should be sent back to domestic cricket
 
Enough of this golden boy treatment, time's up.

It's disgraceful batsmen with better FC averages are rotting on the bench.
 
One more series for him. After that he shouldn't get into test side for 3 years, even if he does well in FC. Babar dhould realize he got enough chances.
 
Markhor said:
Enough of this golden boy treatment, time's up.

It's disgraceful batsmen with better FC averages are rotting on the bench.
Click to expand...

Even as an Indian, i'm disgusted by how Fawad Alam is treated. Poor guy must be gutted.
 
No..he's not ready..he should have been picked later and then also played at 6. fawad alam should have been playing in this side alongside hafeez shafiq and azhar....he is our best FC batsman and should not be treated so shabbily..
 
It's strange that he hasn't clicked so far in Test cricket. In fact watching his ODI game, it appears like he would be even better suited in Tests. Young lad, has lots of time in his hands.
 
Hopefully not another Asad Shafiq. Not even sure if he can become a 40+ averaging batsmen or not?
 
He'll make it eventually I'm sure but no point playing him in tests. He hasn't even clicked in first class cricket yet. Let him focus on LOI for now at least till the world cup, especially recently he hasn't done as well as past.
 
Wasn't there a thread comparing him to KL Rahul? That one was right on the dot watching how Babar is testing the patience of his fans, not dissimilar to KLR.
 
At this point it’s becoming tough to defend him. Needs to be dropped for now atleast. Get Saud in
 
Needs to do good in the 2nd innings. Hearing he played an awful shot today.
 
Pakistan actually dont need him in tests, they have fakhar zaman who is a good player of spin and can bat at 5 and they have imam to come back in to the team. But question is do you want to give him time in the hope that he will develop into a great cricketer?
 
He is heading towards the path of so many young PAK players - started bright, fading away in 2-3 years time.
 
Babar is toothless against spin and needs to bat at 6 in UAE. He will be needed away from Asia. His innings in NZ and England show that he is a far better player of pace and thrives on faster wickets.
 
Cant play spin in test cricket and needs to be dropped, his shot in this inns was pathetic. Its time he improved his game against SPIN and quality bowling,
 
Most hyped player ever on this forum.

He needs to be dropped and go back to FC cricket.

Posters arguing about him being young is just an excuse.

He is only good against lower ranked teams.
 
FastBowlingAllrounder said:
Should spend that time playing some form of FC cricket.
Click to expand...

Yea. In fact I'd ask him to play some county cricket in England as well to develop his game in Tests. Anyone with a brain who has seen him in ODI cricket knows that he has potential. Not even a cricket board with idiots all around would let such a player go waste in Test cricket.
 
If Pak wins this test, he will be given NZ test series as well. If he doesnt perform in that as well then things can get different but, then there is upcoming series in SA and you need a player like him who can play pace and bounce well.

Ideal thing for him is he performs in the next innings.
 
If he was not a young guy who has a high average in ODI and T20 cricket, he would have been out long ago. He's been given a long rope, but it's time to look elsewhere so we can win matches in the here and now.

Let him go back and rack up big scores in domestic and county cricket if he can. His first class average is nothing great.
 
He's young and promising, give him time. Once he gets going, you're all going to be jumping on the bandwagon again. #PakFans

Imam, Haris and Babar are going to be our #1, #4 and #5 for a long time. Let them soak up some experience and keep improving their game until they are ready. No need to drop them unless it is for their own benefit.
 
The problem is he hasn't played enough first class cricket. He isn't use to batting for long periods hence his low average of 28. It's usually round about then when he plays a false shot.

A spell out of the side may do him good but sending him to domestic cricket could make him come back a worse player as we have the seen pitches there are batting paradises. What Babar needs is to bat on some true batting pitches and bat for long periods .

I really want him to come good but we can't keep him in the side with these consistent low scores. I would probably give him the NZ series, if he doesn't get any significant score in that series , he should be dropped for South Africa tests.
 
Has a massive weakness against spin. In UAE, atm, he is very much a liability unless he improves his game against spin massively. He might bat well overseas though.
 
BunnyRabbit said:
Has a massive weakness against spin. In UAE, atm, he is very much a liability unless he improves his game against spin massively. He might bat well overseas though.
Click to expand...

There is no doubt about it. He's already shown a lot of ability to bat in bowler-friendly conditions.
 
Hasan123 said:
The problem is he hasn't played enough first class cricket. He isn't use to batting for long periods hence his low average of 28. It's usually round about then when he plays a false shot.

A spell out of the side may do him good but sending him to domestic cricket could make him come back a worse player as we have the seen pitches there are batting paradises. What Babar needs is to bat on some true batting pitches and bat for long periods .

I really want him to come good but we can't keep him in the side with these consistent low scores. I would probably give him the NZ series, if he doesn't get any significant score in that series , he should be dropped for South Africa tests.
Click to expand...
Whoever replaces Babar for the South Africa tests will be a sacrificial lamb, and Babar will be back in no time. Babar's replacement should get the series against NZ to adjust to international cricket and get settled into the test team. I feel we are going to commit hara-kiri in South Africa :facepalm:
 
28 Test innings and 0 hundreds

6 Test fifties, 3 of which are against Windies and 1 against Ireland.

A Test average of only 27 which frankly is pathetic.
 
Saj said:
28 Test innings and 0 hundreds

6 Test fifties, 3 of which are against Windies and 1 against Ireland.

A Test average of only 27 which frankly is pathetic.
Click to expand...

After getting so much protection, from being demoted to no.3 to no.6 still can't manage enough test runs... we used to hate on our senior players for batting so low, frankly its pathetic that our best batsman is hanging the team out to dry in every game and we are yet to see his best in 2 years since his debut..

Never thought when I made this thread it will last this long or we would still be having this debate that started in 2017
 
Last edited:
The only explanation that I have for this special treatment is that Babar was Mickey and Inzamam's golden child, and they have made it a matter of ego for Babar's persistence and performance. Mickey called him close to Virat Kohli and called him one of the best in the world, despite failing in test matches, he continued to select him in that format, because the promise of limited overs kept feeding into that delusion for him. When that failed he adjusted his position to play him at no.5... yet he still can't seem to perform.

Inzamam has been adamant that Babar is the no.3 we always needed in the side... yet no others are being given the opportunity to prove themselves.

We have seen what Haris did in this series and frankly he is much more deserved of the run that Babar actually got in Test Matches...
 
waleed88 said:
The only explanation that I have for this special treatment is that Babar was Mickey and Inzamam's golden child, and they have made it a matter of ego for Babar's persistence and performance. Mickey called him close to Virat Kohli and called him one of the best in the world, despite failing in test matches, he continued to select him in that format, because the promise of limited overs kept feeding into that delusion for him. When that failed he adjusted his position to play him at no.5... yet he still can't seem to perform.

Inzamam has been adamant that Babar is the no.3 we always needed in the side... yet no others are being given the opportunity to prove themselves.

We have seen what Haris did in this series and frankly he is much more deserved of the run that Babar actually got in Test Matches...
Click to expand...

I genuinely feel that if Umar Amin had the same chances as Babar we would have had a settled batsman in the team
 
Should have played more FC cricket before getting selected for Tests. I think his FC average also shows why he is struggling in this format. In the 4 or 5 day format your poor side gets exposed.

Unfortunately poor Test performances will effect his limited overs batting.
 
Last edited:
Fantastic batsmen. Averages 26 after 28 innings. Should come close to Bradman's average by the end of 100 innings.
 
Patience.

He began showing signs of progress in England and Ireland before being injured.

He struggles against spin which he needs to go back to FC to help sort out.
 
Yes, he is cut out for test. He needs to bat with patience in test format. 1 big hundred will help him a lot.
 
Ami said:
Its time i think...
Ask Salahuddin to come in for NZ and SA.
Click to expand...

Agreed. Or even Fawad Alam.

Just because Babar is struggling it does not mean he is not made for Test Cricket. He is still young. Needs to go back to domestic and focus on the longer format - work on basics because the potential is there. County stint would do him wonder.
 
waleed88 said:
The only explanation that I have for this special treatment is that Babar was Mickey and Inzamam's golden child, and they have made it a matter of ego for Babar's persistence and performance. Mickey called him close to Virat Kohli and called him one of the best in the world, despite failing in test matches, he continued to select him in that format, because the promise of limited overs kept feeding into that delusion for him. When that failed he adjusted his position to play him at no.5... yet he still can't seem to perform.

Inzamam has been adamant that Babar is the no.3 we always needed in the side... yet no others are being given the opportunity to prove themselves.

We have seen what Haris did in this series and frankly he is much more deserved of the run that Babar actually got in Test Matches...
Click to expand...

No. The kid is good, and he needs to back himself. He is not a finished product so should get a longer rope. Thats what Inzi and Mickey have realised. Players like him need to be given a longer run than others. The upside potential is much bigger than the cost of a few failed innings.

He needs to step up mentally. Play country cricket or something, or spend more time at QEA, just batting.

The way you guys get so impatient with young batsmen in your team, it shows in your batting repertoire.

Give the kid a chance. He will come good.
 
He will come good in second innings. Just wait and watch.
 
Sidilicious said:
No. The kid is good, and he needs to back himself. He is not a finished product so should get a longer rope. Thats what Inzi and Mickey have realised. Players like him need to be given a longer run than others. The upside potential is much bigger than the cost of a few failed innings.

He needs to step up mentally. Play country cricket or something, or spend more time at QEA, just batting.

The way you guys get so impatient with young batsmen in your team, it shows in your batting repertoire.

Give the kid a chance. He will come good.
Click to expand...

Playing 2 years at the International level in test matches, and 3 years at the ODI level.

Its not even about exposure anymore the guy has played in all the top countries besides SA and India if I'm not wrong...

Not only that been a part of the A tours and captaining the A side as well, before not being a part of the Test squad... high time another worthy product is given a shot... if each player gets a free ride in the side for 2 years, then 100s of players that come through the ranks will hardly ever have a career beyond First class just for this failure to find his feet.
 
Last edited:
waleed88 said:
Playing 2 years at the International level in test matches, and 3 years at the ODI level.

Its not even about exposure anymore the guy has played in all the top countries besides SA and India if I'm not wrong...

Not only that been a part of the A tours and captaining the A side as well, before not being a part of the Test squad... high time another worthy product is given a shot... if each player gets a free ride in the side for 2 years, then 100s of players that come through the ranks will hardly ever have a career beyond First class just for this failure to find his feet.
Click to expand...

But the development for young batsmen at your domestic level is not good. Thats why a lot of batsmen from Pakistan lose it after a couple of good seasons. Thats why you need a stronger setup at the national level for batsmen. i.e the batsmen who actually come good in the first couple of years - Fakhar Zaman, Babar Azam ahve the talent to be international class. But due to lack of basic batting training as kids, they will struggle at some point. That is when they need good support at the national level.
 
He went for an expansive shot 2nd ball. I think in tests his issues are more mental. I fear for him as as he's akmals cousin and does exhibit similar brainlessness sometimes. better to remove him from test side to save his ODI career
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

BouncerGuy
“I do not think Babar Azam or Mohammad Rizwan can be ruled out completely”: Salman Butt
Replies
18
Views
1K
RedwoodOriginal
RedwoodOriginal
The Bald Eagle
  • Poll Poll
[PICTURES] Is it time to apologize Babar Azam courtesy of team India's awful performance in the MCG Test?
2
Replies
138
Views
6K
Devadwal
Devadwal
FearlessRoar
  • Poll Poll
[PICTURES/VIDEOS] Time for a reality check - Has Babar Azam been defended too much? Does he deserve more criticism?
2
Replies
122
Views
7K
The Bald Eagle
The Bald Eagle
emranabbas
Shadab Khan urges fans not to call Babar Azam 'King' on national TV
Replies
27
Views
2K
RizwanT20Champ
R
mominsaigol
[PICTURES] A message for Babar Azam and his fans: Focus on ODIs and retire from Test and T20I
2 3 4
Replies
311
Views
15K
BouncerGuy
BouncerGuy
Back
Top