Is Babar Azam going down the Umar Akmal route?

[babajee]

After such a promising start to his career ... it’s sad to see what’s happening to Babar. I know he’s young but after 2 years at the top level you would expect him to be much better than he was when he started. He might even be worse now.

He has been utterly mediocre since the SL ODI series ... are we seeing yet another Pakistani batsman who is fizzing out after coming in with a bang?

 

[Mamoon]

His lack of power game was always going to catch up with him. He is an impact-less batsman and does not hurt the opposition. Teams can easily pin him down.

He is turning into another Amla/Williamson type Limited Overs player. He is certainly not going down the Umar route due to two reasons: he has already achieved more and secondly, he is a brilliant batsman for Pakistan's pathetic standards.

He won't make most of the top teams in the world, but he is easily our most prized wicket.

Test cricket can be his best format if he develops the right mindset. He is not capable of dealing with scoreboard pressure, but he is a run machine when he is in his element.

His failures at Test level is more down to his mentality rather than any technical issue, but his inability to play big shots will always be a handicap for him in Limited Overs.

 

[Mamoon]

To add to the above, and I have stressed on this earlier as well, his body language and overall demeanor is very poor for a young player.

He appears to be disinterested in the field, always looks lethargic and his footwork his lazy. Barely gets a good front-foot stride which makes him susceptible to LBW earlier in his innings, and he hardly shows any annoyance or disappointment at getting out.

Unlike other young players like Hasan and Shadab, there is no passion in his game or fire in his belly.

 

[Gubol123]

His lack of power game was always going to catch up with him. He is an impact-less batsman and does not hurt the opposition. Teams can easily pin him down.

He is turning into another Amla/Williamson type Limited Overs player. He is certainly not going down the Umar route due to two reasons: he has already achieved more and secondly, he is a brilliant batsman for Pakistan's pathetic standards.

He won't make most of the top teams in the world, but he is easily our most prized wicket.

Test cricket can be his best format if he develops the right mindset. He is not capable of dealing with scoreboard pressure, but he is a run machine when he is in his element.

His failures at Test level is more down to his mentality rather than any technical issue, but his inability to play big shots will always be a handicap for him in Limited Overs.

He seems to have some issues facing moving balls, both turning and seaming.. He is in the right age where he can work on it.. looks like lots of people are pushing for him to improve his power game. He certainly needs power game to succeed in LOIs but his technical issue with moving ball will have a huge impact on his test career. He is lucky that he will play half of his test cricket in UAE. he needs a good long high quality FC cricket for couple of seasons to iron out his flaws before he can become really top batsman

 

[DeadBall]

Genes. Can't argue with science.

 

[AssassinatedDevil]

He's not in his purple patch anymore but no need to ring any alarm bells. All these comparisons with Kohli etc. are irrelevant as of now as their roles and the pressure put on them have been extremely different. Babar has been the anchor of his national team since day 1. He wasn't eased into the team like Kohli was. Kohli had the likes of Tendulkar, Sehwag, Gambhir, Yuvi, Dhoni to guide him and let him ease into the team. Babar was not given any such luxury so his achievements seem all the more remarkable. He's been the anchor since day 1. Comparing power games of Kohli and Babar is also not apt. Kohli didn't possess the power game he does today when he was Babar's age. His recent fitness transformation has changed that. Hopefully Babar gains more muscle mass in the near future as well.

 

[Mamoon]

Kohli vs Babar will always be an irrelevant comparison, regardless of the different circumstances that they have been exposed to earlier in their careers.

Yes Kohli was eased into the team and had the guidance of legends and all that, but his mental game has always stood out.

He has always looked like a champion player, the determination and focus in his eyes has always been there since day one. Truly great players have an aura, he has had that since the beginning.

Also, him hitting the big shots is simply not a case of putting muscle in the gym. He has always had the capacity of hit big shots.

He mauled a peak Malinga and Zaheer when he was Babar’s age, and helped India chase down 320 in less than 40 overs.

Babar is not capable of producing such magic. The difference between Kohli and Babar at 23 is quite clear.

Babar can work as hard in the gym as he wants, but he will never be anywhere close to the giant that Kohli is today.

However, there is no shame in that, you can be a great player and not be anywhere close to Kohli.

People need to get over this comparison. It is almost as bad as comparing Umar and Kohli.

Kohli is not leagues ahead of Babar because of so and so reasons; he is leagues ahead because he is far more talented with a far superior work ethic and a bigger heart.

His hunger, desire and passion to be the best is far and beyond anything that Babar is capable of.

 

[Mamoon]

He seems to have some issues facing moving balls, both turning and seaming.. He is in the right age where he can work on it.. looks like lots of people are pushing for him to improve his power game. He certainly needs power game to succeed in LOIs but his technical issue with moving ball will have a huge impact on his test career. He is lucky that he will play half of his test cricket in UAE. he needs a good long high quality FC cricket for couple of seasons to iron out his flaws before he can become really top batsman

The 91* that he scored in NZ on a green-top is more than what other Pakistani batsmen are capable of. He is not a good player of spin, but I think that is technical issues are minuscule compared to his mental issues.

In the long run, he will probably be a better Test batsman than an ODI or a T20 one.

 

[jnaveen1980]

It is hard to retrace that path lol Does he have a brother named, Kamran Azam?

 

[Railu Katta]

He's not a T20 player. I have been saying it for over 2 years now but people think his tuktuk at 3 will help Pakistan.

 

[dravidthewall]

After 10 years i e 2028 we will get the answer

 

[Josh]

He is a good player but not made for a short format. He should focus on his mental strength and he can be a really good Test player.

 

[Mercurial]

The 91* that he scored in NZ on a green-top is more than what other Pakistani batsmen are capable of. He is not a good player of spin, but I think that is technical issues are minuscule compared to his mental issues.

In the long run, he will probably be a better Test batsman than an ODI or a T20 one.

Don't think so. He will always have a better record in the limited overs compared to Test cricket.

 

[Mercurial]

I don't think so, because Babar's temperament hasn't deteriorated as was the case with Umar. Babar peaked too much, so it has been a phase of compensation, as we can see his average has fallen near his domestic average. Now, I think he will carry on with this average of 51 or so, and may find form again.

 

[TeymurBlake]

He's definitely not the finished article by any means. He definitely has issues in his batting and definitely needs to work on them.

 

[MRSN]

Baber Azam will never go this route as he has a brain which Umar Akmal lacks. Baber at three brings much needed stability and Pakistan need him to succeed..

 

[MRSN]

The technical problem in his batting is his static feet when facing inswing. He really needs to go to Moyo and sort out these technical problems otherwise he has all the tools to be the best ODI batsman Pakistan has produced in last 20 years.

 

[Mr.Q]

Surprising to see such a post from you [MENTION=143344]babajee[/MENTION] !

Saw him bat against PZ the other day. He was looking very comfortable at the crease unlike the other batsmen in the team. And it was good to see him play some shots. In ODIs it's quite boring to watch him bat because he doesn't play many shots. Age is on his side and I think he'll improve. He's definitely not going the Umar Akmal way.

And I agree with [MENTION=131701]Mamoon[/MENTION]. He's just one good innings away from finding his feet in test cricket where his style of batting will be very effective. Unless he walks across the stumps like Steve Smith, every batsman will struggle against the moving ball until he gets the pace and bounce of the wicket. I don't see it as a huge issue at all. And I didn't see any major technical flaw in his batting or footwork tbh. The only problem is he doesn't play many shots in ODIs which affects the scoring rate.

People who think Kohli became a great batsman because he had a merry ride should ask somebody who knows how things were when Kohli joined the squad. The Bombay wala Rohit was praised to the skies and nobody liked Kohli. Everyone wanted him out of the team just because he was setting a bad example on the field with his animated celebrations and aggression. Some of the Indian commentators were forced to like him because of his performances lol.
Babar doesn't have the pressure to perform which Kohli had in the initial stages of his career.

 

[Abdul]

Yes. I have said this since the day one.

 

[babajee]

Surprising to see such a post from you [MENTION=143344]babajee[/MENTION] !

I still back him - but it’s alarming to see how his development has stagnated. He doesn’t seem to have improved his game at all.

 

[Syed1]

I still back him - but it’s alarming to see how his development has stagnated. He doesn’t seem to have improved his game at all.

What fans need to realize is that Babar is a 42-45 average batsman

 

[Mr.Q]

I still back him - but it’s alarming to see how his development has stagnated. He doesn’t seem to have improved his game at all.

Maybe because he's under no pressure to improve. Don't fix what ain't broken .

But didn't you notice a marked improvement in the way he approaches T20s? He played really well in that T20 against New Zealand. He is looking to score more boundaries, which is a good thing.

 

[babajee]

Maybe because he's under no pressure to improve. Don't fix what ain't broken .

But didn't you notice a marked improvement in the way he approaches T20s? He played really well in that T20 against New Zealand. He is looking to score more boundaries, which is a good thing.

Yeah but I agree with [MENTION=131701]Mamoon[/MENTION] that he rode the momentum in that game, along with the fact that the boundaries were very small.

It was back to the usual in 3rd T20, run a ball then soft dismissal as is usually the case for Babar against top teams.

Flukes happen

 

[Deewana Mastana]

Is this still a question? After all the lack of a working brain runs from the family and he is their cousin after all. He came, made people talk all over the world about him for some knocks on phattas against SL and WI and now he has been showing his true colours.

 

[Mr.Q]

Yeah but I agree with [MENTION=131701]Mamoon[/MENTION] that he rode the momentum in that game, along with the fact that the boundaries were very small.

It was back to the usual in 3rd T20, run a ball then soft dismissal as is usually the case for Babar against top teams.

Flukes happen

He still had to lift his bat and play some shots . I see an improvement in his approach. It was evident in that match against PZ too. I don't think we should put him under the microscope after each game.

 

[Sidilicious]

What fans need to realize is that Babar is a 42-45 average batsman

Nah, he will average higher alt least last 40s in the long run, albeit with a mid 80s SR. Still will be a gem in your line up. Someone for others to play around.

That is, if you let him play that role. Forcing him too much to be boundary scorer could be his undoing.

 

[Usman Chadda]

Needs to start believing he is good enough to dominate oppositions. Goes into his shell a bit too much. Specially when out of form.

Still, he has all the ingredients to be the best batsman Pakistan has produced in all formats since Yousuf.

 

[MRSN]

Kohli vs Babar will always be an irrelevant comparison, regardless of the different circumstances that they have been exposed to earlier in their careers.

Yes Kohli was eased into the team and had the guidance of legends and all that, but his mental game has always stood out.

He has always looked like a champion player, the determination and focus in his eyes has always been there since day one. Truly great players have an aura, he has had that since the beginning.

Also, him hitting the big shots is simply not a case of putting muscle in the gym. He has always had the capacity of hit big shots.

He mauled a peak Malinga and Zaheer when he was Babar’s age, and helped India chase down 320 in less than 40 overs.

Babar is not capable of producing such magic. The difference between Kohli and Babar at 23 is quite clear.

Babar can work as hard in the gym as he wants, but he will never be anywhere close to the giant that Kohli is today.

However, there is no shame in that, you can be a great player and not be anywhere close to Kohli.

People need to get over this comparison. It is almost as bad as comparing Umar and Kohli.

Kohli is not leagues ahead of Babar because of so and so reasons; he is leagues ahead because he is far more talented with a far superior work ethic and a bigger heart.

His hunger, desire and passion to be the best is far and beyond anything that Babar is capable of.

yeah it's very surprising some people compare Baber Azam's power hitting with Kohli. Former has ability to put ball into stands standing still in his crease I have seen him so many times. That T20 semi final knock against WI or the way he smashed Wahab in the champions trophy. Kohli just chooses the right time to play big shots because he knows his importance for his team and most of the times he can get his strike rate under control with his down the ground shots. He just makes batting look so easy. Truly an asset for India.

 

[TeamPak95]

Nah, he will average higher alt least last 40s in the long run, albeit with a mid 80s SR. Still will be a gem in your line up. Someone for others to play around.

That is, if you let him play that role. Forcing him too much to be boundary scorer could be his undoing.

Kinda agree with this, considering the fact that Pak have guys like Fakhar, Faheem, Nawaz, Yamin, Shadab who can hit big (however many of them are in the playing XI) as well as potentials like Talat and Farhan (assuming they kill it in PSL). Babar can play that supporter role perfectly for the guys I just mentioned. Although a little more aggression in his approach wouldn't hurt

 

[HuzaifaE]

Babar has the skills and he has the brain, what he needs to develop is the temperament, and it's still okay to give him time to do so, he shouldn't be our concern in the batting department as of now.

What he needs to do is learn to get into his innings, has a terrible tendency of either batting well and making a good contribution or getting out cheaply to a dry waft outside off or a simple ball that comes in.

Once he's in, he's a pleasure to watch, some of the best balance I've seen. You need to try to do an Akmal to do an Akmal, I'm confident Babar, at worst, will still be our best batsman, and at best, a world class one.

Doesn't help anyone to make ignorant comparisons with VK mind you, the latter will always be a league ahead, as he will with anyone else. Let Babar pave his own career.

 

[Hasan123]

He's not going down the UA route. He needs more power hitters around him in LO so that his main responsbillity isn't to accelerate. He obviously needs to improve in this aspect but he needs to ensure he bats through the innings and accelerate towards the end of his innings. Right now he is having to accelerate earlier in his innings due to other batsmen in the team not being able to.

One further thing I would like to see him improve is body language in the field. He needs to look more interested and show more intensity. I understand everyone has there own way of doing things but not showing any interest or any intensity in the field when you are the main batsmen in the team a little worrying.

 

[Rayyman]

Babar can accelerate well and play the big shots, it's just that he takes too much time to get set. It's early in his innings where his SR is too low. He needs to work on playing grounded shots more often (powerplay). Many times I've seen him hit the ball sweetly but in the air straight to the fielder.

 

[in_cutter]

Baber Azam will never go this route as he has a brain which Umar Akmal lacks. Baber at three brings much needed stability and Pakistan need him to succeed..

Yes, a bit like the stability he has shown recently. Lol

 

[DeadBall]

The aggression point is correct, he just seems to be happy with what he's done so far and has none of that fire in the belly stuff that separate the good from the great.

 

[MMHS]

Apart from that 2nd innings of ODI career, I think Umar has only one 100+ innings - against mighty Afghans, when he was dropped of probably 3 dollies. Babar has 3 times more hundreds in probably 6 times less games - so there is some difference definitely.

More than Umar, I am afraid Babar might be going to Misbah route - with the horror show by PAK top order, well matched by the experienced class of MoHa, Mian at 4/5 & Captain dynamic at 6, I hope he doesn't start to perform (or at least try to perform) that "savoir" role.

 

[Gubol123]

Umar was hard done by in Tests.. It is very unfair to drop a 20 year old averaging nearly 36 after 15 odd test matches.. but he is a lost cause..

Babar will do good in Tests once he has a breakthrough season. In LOIs he will stagnate around 45 average at 80 strike rate which are not really ground breaking stats but excellent from Pak perspective.. He has the ability to end up with 20K International runs.. lets see how he progresses. Currently he is not the kind of player who puts fear in the opposition's camp. Currently he is more like a nice boy who asks permission to score few runs than the bully who will steal your lunch money

 

[babajee]

Just like Umar Akmal... all the “talent” this guy has is slowly seeping down the drain.

Atrocious innings today.

 

[Hitman]

Just like Umar Akmal... all the “talent” this guy has is slowly seeping down the drain.

Atrocious innings today.

It's just league cricket.

 

[rhony]

Reminds me of some old Indian players who just wanted runs in the record books and don't care much about winning. Remember one ODi where Pak lost big but he made a slow century while chasing and gave up winning

 

[world cup captain]

Not sure where to put him. He can play when he puts his mind to it but fails to score majority of the times when needed. A season with county cricket could help him but that will require some performances in test cricket.

 

[ManFan]

Reminds me of some old Indian players who just wanted runs in the record books and don't care much about winning. Remember one ODi where Pak lost big but he made a slow century while chasing and gave up winning

Australia 5th ODI.
He doesn't have the power or mindset to bulk up during off time. Hopefully, he changes this soon.
In the Test format, he has concentration issues.

 

[Saj]

I don't rate him as a T20 batsman and never have despite rankings and whatever else.

He simply does not have the strokeplay and hitting power in T20s.

 

[Justcrazy]

He should look to rotate the strike more , to catch up with his lack of power hitting.

 

[Justcrazy]

I don't rate him as a T20 batsman and never have despite rankings and whatever else.

He simply does not have the strokeplay and hitting power in T20s.

Pakistan should have specialist players for different formats.

 

[jnaveen1980]

Babar can atleast protect his wicket lol Umar can't do that to save his life. I am not sure about others. I see a gulf between them.

 

[jnaveen1980]

I don't rate him as a T20 batsman and never have despite rankings and whatever else.

He simply does not have the strokeplay and hitting power in T20s.

That is where "gear factor" comes in. You need those additional gears in T20. In T20 your technique is not going to be tested much. So batsmen with lesser technique but more gears have more chances of making an impact than the batsmen with reasonable technique and less gears.

 

[TeymurBlake]

Not suited to T20 cricket whatsoever. He's got kinks to work on and hopefully he does.

 

[barah_admi]

Not suited to T20 cricket? The guy who is averaging almost 50 at international level in the format with a 120+ sr. Name me how many batsmen are better than that or more consistent?

This is the same guy who averaged almost 60 against the world XI and had a sr of close to 150. All thats happened is that he has gone through a rough patch, during a tournament where batting has been hard anyway.

How many of you here are actually cricket fans and know about the sport?

 

[Savak]

Babar is too meak to be successful in the long run just like Shaan Masood. Don't see him survive a tough spell of fast bowling.

 

[coy0607]

Babar is a very different type of batsmen than Akmal

U Akmal had the raw talent, power and all the shots, but never had any composure or temperament

Azam has more glaring weaknesses, he struggles against certain type of bowling, takes a while to get going, struggles to step it up in the middle and late overs

not a good comparison at all. If anything, the question should be, is Azam going down the Younus Khan route in ODI / T20?

 

[giri26]

Babar is a very different type of batsmen than Akmal

U Akmal had the raw talent, power and all the shots, but never had any composure or temperament

Azam has more glaring weaknesses, he struggles against certain type of bowling, takes a while to get going, struggles to step it up in the middle and late overs

not a good comparison at all. If anything, the question should be, is Azam going down the Younus Khan route in ODI / T20?

Younis was a gun test player, Babar isn't that either yet. I think the fans had unrealistic expectations on the young man. He needs to play for couple of years and then we will know where he stands. In the 3 years he has played international cricket, he has been compared Sachin, Kohli etc..which is too much pressure on the young man.

 

[Greenstorm]

Just like Umar Akmal... all the “talent” this guy has is slowly seeping down the drain.

Atrocious innings today.

He is not a T20 batsman.

 

[IndianFan2018]

Younis was a gun test player, Babar isn't that either yet. I think the fans had unrealistic expectations on the young man. He needs to play for couple of years and then we will know where he stands. In the 3 years he has played international cricket, he has been compared Sachin, Kohli etc..which is too much pressure on the young man.

Same opinion was raised by most of Indian supporters about Babar from last 2 years, but most of PPers said those are hate/jealous opinions on Pak youngster.

Now, we are getting similar opinion from otherside as well.

Babar may improve dramatically in coming days, let's wait till that happens before hyping him too much

 

[Someone]

He is not a T20 batsman.

No 1 T20 batsman tho

 

[Oligochaetes]

Give him some time people!

Nowadays everyone has started to behave like judges of reality shows instead of just enjoying and getting entertained.

 

[Greenstorm]

No 1 T20 batsman tho

Nice joke. He played a match losing knock yesterday.

 

[Mamoon]

He has already done more for Pakistan than Umar has in nearly a decade. He will obviously never be an ATG, not even close.

Nonetheless, he has the potential to become one of the best batsmen Pakistan has produced, which is not a difficult task because we have a poor batting heritage and legacy.

If his career is going to go downhill from here it will be due to one reason only - he is not a gutsy player, and does not appear to have the desire and passion to be the best player that he can possibly be.

 

[Mamoon]

Speaking of the T20 ranking, the ICC have made a mockery of their ranking system by allowing someone like Babar achieve the number one ranking.

Obviously it is not arbitrary and there is a system in place, but any system that makes Babar - who is not even among the top 20 best T20 batsmen in the world - number one is clearly a faulty system that needs a complete overhaul.

 

[Gubol123]

No 1 T20 batsman tho

Shows the value of T20 ratings.. There is not a single T20 team (leagues or Internationals) which will pick Babar as the first pick in their squad. Not a single one. Any current test team you pick anywhere will have Smith and Kholi in their ranks, any current ODI team you pick will ABDV and Virat, but the same is not the case with T20I rankings. It is mostly due to less number of T20Is being played and no major team taking it very seriously. Most of the major teams keep experimenting with their T20 team

 

[Gubol123]

Speaking of the T20 ranking, the ICC have made a mockery of their ranking system by allowing someone like Babar achieve the number one ranking.

Obviously it is not arbitrary and there is a system in place, but any system that makes Babar - who is not even among the top 20 best T20 batsmen in the world - number one is clearly a faulty system that needs a complete overhaul.

No teams take T20Is seriously. All of them experiment with it all the team with many not fielding their best most of the time. India concentrates on IPL and doesn't want T20Is to steal the thunder, Aus was not very serious until recently when they started to plan for 2020, SA experiments a lot, Eng is same. NZ and Pak seems to be two teams that take T20Is a bit seriously, Pak playing the most of them.. Since most team have unsettled T20I teams the rankings get messed up.

 

[backfootpunch]

He has already done more for Pakistan than Umar has in nearly a decade. He will obviously never be an ATG, not even close.

Nonetheless, he has the potential to become one of the best batsmen Pakistan has produced, which is not a difficult task because we have a poor batting heritage and legacy.

If his career is going to go downhill from here it will be due to one reason only - he is not a gutsy player, and does not appear to have the desire and passion to be the best player that he can possibly be.

My concern is with not only how poor domestic wickets are in Pak and given that he is unlikely to get an overseas contract to play FC cricket (say in England), this will put him at a disadvantage to some of the previous generations of batting talent who were able to exploit the expertise of the English coaches and reach that top level when you go back and see the likes of Zaheer Abbas, Asif Iqbal, YK and even Azhar Ali (who developed his technique playing club cricket in Scotland).

Babar is so inept against spin and with his inability to play steep bounce I don't see him having a test career where he is able to average 40+. I could be wrong but like you said the biggest issue is mentally, he doesn't have the ruthless desire to do well or passion when Kohli was at the same stage of his career but he could prove me wrong.

 

[babajee]

Ever since I made this thread Babar has come back to form and hit 3 back to back 50s and is also hitting more boundaries and playing with more confidence.

Thank you Umar

 

[msb314]

Kohli vs Babar will always be an irrelevant comparison, regardless of the different circumstances that they have been exposed to earlier in their careers.

Yes Kohli was eased into the team and had the guidance of legends and all that, but his mental game has always stood out.

He has always looked like a champion player, the determination and focus in his eyes has always been there since day one. Truly great players have an aura, he has had that since the beginning.

Also, him hitting the big shots is simply not a case of putting muscle in the gym. He has always had the capacity of hit big shots.

He mauled a peak Malinga and Zaheer when he was Babar’s age, and helped India chase down 320 in less than 40 overs.

Babar is not capable of producing such magic. The difference between Kohli and Babar at 23 is quite clear.

Babar can work as hard in the gym as he wants, but he will never be anywhere close to the giant that Kohli is today.

However, there is no shame in that, you can be a great player and not be anywhere close to Kohli.

People need to get over this comparison. It is almost as bad as comparing Umar and Kohli.

Kohli is not leagues ahead of Babar because of so and so reasons; he is leagues ahead because he is far more talented with a far superior work ethic and a bigger heart.

His hunger, desire and passion to be the best is far and beyond anything that Babar is capable of.

Too early to tell if Babar will have the determination and focus that Kohli had.

Babar has already shown signs of taking on responsibility in our batting iineup and playing the anchor role when all of the other lalu panju batsman we have fail as usual. E.g. the 2nd T20 vs NZ recently and his exploits for Karachi Kings this season.

It is not easy for such a young player to assume a position of responsibility when he has no one to look up to but Babar looks like he is ready for the challenge and become the main stay of our LOI batting.

I am willing to accept that the NZ series was just an abberation for Babar and he will return to his good form sooner rather than later.

Averaging nearly 50+ in both ODI's and T20's is not an easy feat and shows his dedication and focus.

 

[The_Odd_One]

He has already accomplished more than Umar. Even Kamran is a better batsman than Umar.

 

[Mamoon]

Too early to tell if Babar will have the determination and focus that Kohli had.

Babar has already shown signs of taking on responsibility in our batting iineup and playing the anchor role when all of the other lalu panju batsman we have fail as usual. E.g. the 2nd T20 vs NZ recently and his exploits for Karachi Kings this season.

It is not easy for such a young player to assume a position of responsibility when he has no one to look up to but Babar looks like he is ready for the challenge and become the main stay of our LOI batting.

I am willing to accept that the NZ series was just an abberation for Babar and he will return to his good form sooner rather than later.

Averaging nearly 50+ in both ODI's and T20's is not an easy feat and shows his dedication and focus.

I do not think it is early to tell, and I am willing to bet my bottom dollar that Babar will never be as good Kohli, who is a once in a lifetime cricketer.

 

[msb314]

I do not think it is early to tell, and I am willing to bet my bottom dollar that Babar will never be as good Kohli, who is a once in a lifetime cricketer.

I did not say Babar will be better than Kohli.

I am saying he has shown signs of determination and focus by playing through the innings several times and becoming our go to batsman so early on in his career.

 

[Mamoon]

I did not say Babar will be better than Kohli.

I am saying he has shown signs of determination and focus by playing through the innings several times and becoming our go to batsman so early on in his career.

To me, he appears selfish and sedate at times. It is fine if the team is losing as long as he can get his milestone at a tottering pace.

The hundred in Australia was an eye-opener for me. He should absolutely no desire of helping Pakistan get anywhere close to the target even if it was impossible. For a young player, I really do not like his attitude and lack of passion. The desire to be a match-winner does not seem to be there.

Nothing has changed much in this edition though. He has always been good enough to score runs, especially in the UAE. Scoring runs is not a problem for him, but the lack of impact his runs have is a problem for his teams.

 

[msb314]

To me, he appears selfish and sedate at times. It is fine if the team is losing as long as he can get his milestone at a tottering pace.

The hundred in Australia was an eye-opener for me. He should absolutely no desire of helping Pakistan get anywhere close to the target even if it was impossible. For a young player, I really do not like his attitude and lack of passion. The desire to be a match-winner does not seem to be there.

Nothing has changed much in this edition though. He has always been good enough to score runs, especially in the UAE. Scoring runs is not a problem for him, but the lack of impact his runs have is a problem for his teams.

Yes that huundred in Australia was not a great innings and he could have paced himself better but it was his first tour of Australia and Sharjeel blazed away early on in the innings so he could afford to take his time. Malik and Hafeez's early dismissals did not help and so Babar had to quickly accelerate after that.

We were also chasing 369 so keep in mind only twice had anything greater than or equal to 369 ever been chased before in ODI history. We accepted defeat and getting outplayed by a better opponent before we even began to chase - I know it is not the best attitude to adopt sometimes damage limitation mode is best which we somewhat did by getting to 312 which is a very respectable total chasing against Australia.

 

[Spectrum]

Finally OP realising Babar's true potential.
I thought you were biggest Babar fan.

 

[waleed88]

Yes that huundred in Australia was not a great innings and he could have paced himself better but it was his first tour of Australia and Sharjeel blazed away early on in the innings so he could afford to take his time. Malik and Hafeez's early dismissals did not help and so Babar had to quickly accelerate after that.

We were also chasing 369 so keep in mind only twice had anything greater than or equal to 369 ever been chased before in ODI history. We accepted defeat and getting outplayed by a better opponent before we even began to chase - I know it is not the best attitude to adopt sometimes damage limitation mode is best which we somewhat did by getting to 312 which is a very respectable total chasing against Australia.

Damage limitation is when you feel the net run rate will make a difference but this was chasing 369 in a dead rubber loll.

 

[babajee]

Damage limitation is when you feel the net run rate will make a difference but this was chasing 369 in a dead rubber loll.

How would you expect Babar to chase that down singlehandedly especially against an attack of Starc, Hazlewood and Cummins? I wouldn’t back Kohli to chase it.

If he showed more “intent” he would probably have gotten a cute 50 and we would have lost by even more.

 

[waleed88]

How would you expect Babar to chase that down singlehandedly especially against an attack of Starc, Hazlewood and Cummins? I wouldn’t back Kohli to chase it.

If he showed more “intent” he would probably have gotten a cute 50 and we would have lost by even more.

Yes, he was the only one giving out his best....

His best was a strike rate of 66 when Sharjeel was actually trying to do something. That is when he reached his 50, and instead of carrying on Sharjeel's good work he decided to cash in on a century and then get out as soon as he got the century the next ball

 

[Rayyman]

Yes, he was the only one giving out his best....

His best was a strike rate of 66 when Sharjeel was actually trying to do something. That is when he reached his 50, and instead of carrying on Sharjeel's good work he decided to cash in on a century and then get out as soon as he got the century the next ball

At least he scored runs unlike Hafeez Azhar, Malik, and U. akmal.

 

[waleed88]

At least he scored runs unlike Hafeez Azhar, Malik, and U. akmal.

That means if Hafeez has scored at a better average than Babar Azam in ODIs for the past year. That should mean Babar is useless right? Because Hafeez is outperforming him

 

[babajee]

That means if Hafeez has scored at a better average than Babar Azam in ODIs for the past year. That should mean Babar is useless right? Because Hafeez is outperforming him

What did you expect from Babar in that game?

Did you think he has the ability to chase it down?

 

[Mirpur express]

Don’t agree with posters who say he will never develop power shots.. next 3 years are crucial & I am sure he will be a lot stronger by age 27

 

[finalfantasy7]

dont know why people are asking for him to play like a kohi, ab deviliers - he is himself and has to lay withing his attributes.

why do people on here expect him to play a special attacking knock every game.

do any one of you know - that if hes been told to play a good steady innings by his captain, knowing the wickets have generally been good for bowlers?

if he should model someone strike rate - then let it be hashim amla at no.3 who can open.

he doesnt have that many games under his belt, 11 tests, 41 odi, 17 t20 - yet his strike rate is 122.50 in t20 - which is very good.

he needs to focus on his test average.

 

[babajee]

Don’t agree with posters who say he will never develop power shots.. next 3 years are crucial & I am sure he will be a lot stronger by age 27

He said after the last match in the interview that he has been working on power hitting in the nets.

He hit some great sixes off Wahab and Sameen.

 

[waleed88]

What did you expect from Babar in that game?

Did you think he has the ability to chase it down?

Exactly my point. It just irritates me when his fans think, he is the second coming of Kohli. He is not even the second coming of Inzamam as a batsman - our best chaser in ODIs

 

[babajee]

Exactly my point. It just irritates me when his fans think, he is the second coming of Kohli. He is not even the second coming of Inzamam as a batsman - our best chaser in ODIs

He is still developing.. why can’t he be the next Inzi for us in the future?