Is Babar Azam's decline following the same trajectory as Angelo Mathews' decline?

[Savak]

Angelo Mathews was heralded as the next major Sri Lankan batting star from 2011 onwards where he was averaging in the late 40's and it was anticipated that he would carry the Sri Lankan batting forwards after the retirements of Sangakarra, Jaywardene.

However once the senior players retired, Mathews was the sole major batsman left in the Sri Lankan team. However the lack of competition made him soft, he did not take care of his fitness, he was appointed captain but he took things for granted and promoted a lazy, jaisay chal raha hai waisay he chalne do culture and soon under his watch the fitness and performances of the Sri Lankan team plummeted as well drastically to the point the Sri Lankan selectors had no choice but to not only axe Mathews as captain but also to drop him from the team as well as a player.

Babar's career it appears has regressed along the same lines where in 2021-22 all global commentators mentioned that Babar should be included in the FAB 5 and now Babar finds himself out of favour in the Pakistani team because his decline was just not possible to ignore anymore.

 

[jnaveen1980]

Angelo matthews was averaging 52 after his first 50 tests or so. THen declined till 2018. Free fall for sometime. He managed to to arrest and been maintaining at 45.

 

[giri26]

Sorry there is no comparison between Angelo and Babar. Babar was never great in Tests to be frank. He did have couple of great years on roads in Pakistan but overall he has no performances in Test cricket to be considered anywhere close to good. His record outside of Asia speaks for it. I think he just has 1 hundred outside of Asia? So no comparison between Angelo and Babar. Angelo at least boasted of great stats for a while before going through a fall but Babar never had that.

 

[Justcrazy]

Sorry there is no comparison between Angelo and Babar. Babar was never great in Tests to be frank. He did have couple of great years on roads in Pakistan but overall he has no performances in Test cricket to be considered anywhere close to good. His record outside of Asia speaks for it. I think he just has 1 hundred outside of Asia? So no comparison between Angelo and Babar. Angelo at least boasted of great stats for a while before going through a fall but Babar never had that.

Babar was and still one of the best in Pakistan , not in the world. He never had the game to create impact like Lara or Kohli , Ponting etc.

 

[Cricket Warrior]

Angelo Mathews declined towards the end of his career, whereas Babar is facing a horrible decline during his prime.

 

[SportsWarrior]

Mathews was an incredible test player at his peak. He was technically correct, had time to play and looked million dollars until he got injured. His major reason was laziness that came afterwards due to lack of competition to his place. Even now he will end up as much better test batter than Babar. As per Babar I would be surprised if he his in top 3 test batters in Pak by end of his career.

 

[Ab Fan]

Matthews was key in winning SL a test series in England. He was also a good white ball finisher in early part of his career.

Babar might be going on same lines but game changing knock is lacking. 2014 was Matthew's peak years while that is yet to come for Babar in Tests.

 

[mominsaigol]

How the mighty have fallen.

From Bradman comparisons all the way to Angelo Mattews.

Very very soon, we'll be comparing Babar to Shan or Imam.

 

[sweep_shot]

There are similarities. However, it is too early to say whether Babar would be like Angelo. We may get an answer in a few years.

Angelo declined but he kept on playing and contributed here and there.

 

[Aang_The_last_airbender]

HAPPY BIRTHDAY BABAR AZAM !!!!

 

[Aang_The_last_airbender]

Angelo Mathews was heralded as the next major Sri Lankan batting star from 2011 onwards where he was averaging in the late 40's and it was anticipated that he would carry the Sri Lankan batting forwards after the retirements of Sangakarra, Jaywardene.

However once the senior players retired, Mathews was the sole major batsman left in the Sri Lankan team. However the lack of competition made him soft, he did not take care of his fitness, he was appointed captain but he took things for granted and promoted a lazy, jaisay chal raha hai waisay he chalne do culture and soon under his watch the fitness and performances of the Sri Lankan team plummeted as well drastically to the point the Sri Lankan selectors had no choice but to not only axe Mathews as captain but also to drop him from the team as well as a player.

Babar's career it appears has regressed along the same lines where in 2021-22 all global commentators mentioned that Babar should be included in the FAB 5 and now Babar finds himself out of favour in the Pakistani team because his decline was just not possible to ignore anymore.

What a birthday gift for Babar Azam!!

 

[jnaveen1980]

How the mighty have fallen.

From Bradman comparisons all the way to Angelo Mattews.

Very very soon, we'll be comparing Babar to Shan or Imam.

Pretty soon Gulbadin Naib

 

[AMSS]

Saw a stat that most of Pakistan's greatest batters had their most productive phase after they turned 30 so Baba Azam and his fangirls can take some heart from that.

 

[BouncerGuy]

Babar is not having anything similar to anyone else. This is just plain simple Babar's dip in form. He was rested wisely for his own good. Angelo Mathews also had a bowling job so really, there is no similarity.