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Jason Gillespie: “I told Babar to play his natural game freely,” but what is Babar's natural game?

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MenInG

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In the past few months/years, all we hear about Babar are questions on his strike rate, inability to play spin etc.

Jason is talking about allowing Babar to play his natural game.

My simple question: What is his natural game?
 
Babar’s decline has been so noticeable that is a very valid question.

I don’t even know what his strengths are anymore. The stat padding has made him lose his identity.

I would really urge babar and shaheen for that matter to look at the bigger picture. Accept your mistakes, accept you have both been very poor recently. Leave the upcoming series, let someone else play, if they lose, so what, you’re losing anyway.

Work on your game, your fitness, come back stronger and then prove why people ever rated you highly.

Unfortunately the mentality of these guys is so self centred and insecure, they’re always fearful someone will take their place.

Why can’t you take that challenge head on if someone may replace you. I remember Dale Steyn really upped his game as soon as Morkel came on to the scene. Steyn upped it and never let it slip from that point to the end of his career. Resulted in him being unequivocally the best bowler in the world. It resulted in a great bowling partnership with Morkel.

We just don’t have that mentality.
 
Natural game is just an excuse. Players should play as per what team, match and situation needs from them.

It is not club match that someone can say 'Sorry I can only do opening and play with 125 SR'

If team is batting first on flat pitch and ball is not swinging in first 1-2 ovs, openers should calibrate and look to score 60 in powerplay to setup game for middle order batters. If in trying for this team loses 2-3 wkts quickly then ofcourse target should be reassessed and consolidation phase of 5-6 overs is acceptable.
 
The funny thing is, I use to support Babar alot back in 2016-2021. Ik alot of people who like babar do not like me for some of my comments towards him but I really enjoyed babar during that era.

I always thought he was a solid batsmen and had alot of talent considering at a young age he hit 3 back to back centuries against the west indies early on in his career, and bowling doesn't matter because even being able to hit 3 back to back centuries was mighty impressive.

Only issue was sr but I thought since he's only 22 at the time, he'll obviously get better with age, + he would butcher teams with weak bowling back when he and fakhar use to open in 2018 and he was part of the reason pakistan was ranked no 1 in the first place.

But idk what happened from 2022 to 2024. Unless it's a pindi batting road, he's utterly terrible and utter garbage of a batsmen now. His 2022 wc campaign, 2023 asia cup and 2023 wc campaign and even 2024 where his sr is at 107 and he made 44 of 43 against usa on a road pitch simply because they have one bowler who's semi decent and happens to be an Oracle employee. Shockingly poor from him.

It doesn't help his fitness has fallen into a downward spiral.

Anyway to answer the OP question: his og game from 2016 to 2022 was to take singles, rotate strike, punish the bad balls, but he was lacking lofted six hitting which was his weakness.

Now his natural game seems to be to look clueless against any bowler who can spin or swing a bit.
 
He never developed an aura for a supposedly world class player. When you consider the hype surrounding him you would think he js a guy eceryine should be scared of. Don't think he scares anyone.
 
Watched a video where broad & Anderson were asked about batsman’s weaknesses:

Kohli they said 4th stump line away movement

Williamson off stump line

Baba -they both looked at each other he dosnt have a weakness only his own mistake gets him out.

What a compliment from those 2 greats.
 
AAli98 said:
Watched a video where broad & Anderson were asked about batsman’s weaknesses:

Kohli they said 4th stump line away movement

Williamson off stump line

Baba -they both looked at each other he dosnt have a weakness only his own mistake gets him out.

What a compliment from those 2 greats.
Click to expand...
Lol, he's one of the most clueless batsmen against spin
 
AAli98 said:
Watched a video where broad & Anderson were asked about batsman’s weaknesses:

Kohli they said 4th stump line away movement

Williamson off stump line

Baba -they both looked at each other he dosnt have a weakness only his own mistake gets him out.

What a compliment from those 2 greats.
Click to expand...

They both looked at each other because they were thinking which weakness to mention.
 
Spot on from Gillespie , really slayed the Babar haters. Babar is like Lara of early 2000s WI no support from others. What should Babar do slambang 25 in (16) so the team is bundled out at 115 in 16 overs
 
Babar's natural game is his glorious stroke play that was on display in NZ T20 series where he scored 3 quick 50's batting at number 3.

He should revert to his beautiful game of timing and placement rather than trying to bludgeon them.

He needs to play to his strengths.
 
Kianig89 said:
Spot on from Gillespie , really slayed the Babar haters. Babar is like Lara of early 2000s WI no support from others. What should Babar do slambang 25 in (16) so the team is bundled out at 115 in 16 overs
Click to expand...
Thank God Lara isn't on this forumn and seeing such comparisons being made about him
 
Ahmed216 said:
Babar's natural game is his glorious stroke play that was on display in NZ T20 series where he scored 3 quick 50's batting at number 3.

He should revert to his beautiful game of timing and placement rather than trying to bludgeon them.

He needs to play to his strengths.
Click to expand...
You realise with the exception of cover drives and legside drives he's an ugly batsmen?

His pull shot and cut shot is very ugly to look it, so is any backfoot strokes.
 
mominsaigol said:
You realise with the exception of cover drives and legside drives he's an ugly batsmen?

His pull shot and cut shot is very ugly to look it, so is any backfoot strokes.
Click to expand...
Believe me you're the first person I've come across who has associated this word ugly with babar
 
Ahmed216 said:
Babar's natural game is his glorious stroke play that was on display in NZ T20 series where he scored 3 quick 50's batting at number 3.

He should revert to his beautiful game of timing and placement rather than trying to bludgeon them.

He needs to play to his strengths.
Click to expand...
He should open in T20s?
 
AAli98 said:
Watched a video where broad & Anderson were asked about batsman’s weaknesses:

Kohli they said 4th stump line away movement

Williamson off stump line

Baba -they both looked at each other he dosnt have a weakness only his own mistake gets him out.

What a compliment from those 2 greats.
Click to expand...
This probably means they don’t have any special plans for him as they don’t really consider him a threat. That’s what happens with regular batsmen, you just bowl well to them and they’ll get out in any old fashion
 
Ahmed216 said:
Believe me you're the first person I've come across who has associated this word ugly with babar
Click to expand...
Anyway if you wish to know my reasoning rather then bashing me for Babar fanboyism

Babar may be stable at the crease with a straight stance and in terms of playing cover drives he's good at them often able to pierce the gaps for a boundary but he's extremly weak on the backfoot.

His stance while playing the pull shot is so awkward that alot of times he isn't able to flight it over the inner ring and gets caught which has happened plenty of times in the wc.

He's also gotten frequently stumped out by spin because his backfoot balance is so weak is foot is often left dangling in the air or slides outside the crease.

In terms of playing lofted strokes he is extremly ugly at it, and in terms of playing thr cut shot against spinners he has an awkward angle.

He's a horrible backfoot player and half the time he gets out because of the backfoot.

Genuinely speaking from what angle besides his fanboying does he look pleasing to watch? His footwork on coming upto the crease is terrible. He has no realese shot against spinners such as scoops or sweeps, he severely lacks lofted stroke making, his backfoot is poor.

So according to you and his fans, he's a pretty and pleasing to the eye batsmen because he stands straight? Lol
 
Kianig89 said:
Spot on from Gillespie , really slayed the Babar haters. Babar is like Lara of early 2000s WI no support from others. What should Babar do slambang 25 in (16) so the team is bundled out at 115 in 16 overs
Click to expand...
So much dramabaazi. I’ve heard this a million times about hyped up Pakistani players. And every time when the player is eventually removed the team is absolutely fine.
 
Babar’s natural game is to bat like a coward, so Jason should be careful what he is reinforcing, he is new to Pakistan, and cosying up to the demands of his captain could end up being catastrophic for his tenure as a coach.

Babar has the ability but no heart or guts.

In recent years, he has been scribing to his mental weakness more and more by playing within himself.
 
shaz619 said:
Babar’s natural game is to bat like a coward, so Jason should be careful what he is reinforcing, he is new to Pakistan, and cosying up to the demands of his captain could end up being catastrophic for his tenure as a coach.

Babar has the ability but no heart or guts.

In recent years, he has been scribing to his mental weakness more and more by playing within himself.
Click to expand...
“Just go out there and play your natural game” :ROFLMAO:
 
Babar can only play his natural game when he has support on the other end. When the Team is struggling for 20/2 in PP, how can he bat and play his natural game?

It is not always Babar's fault, sometimes he lacked support that he needs. He is a good player but cannot be a lone warrior who takes his team to victory single handedly.
 
Rana said:
“Just go out there and play your natural game” :ROFLMAO:
Click to expand...

I really hope behind the scenes he wakes up fast, they all do eventually, but it might be too late for old boy Jason
 
Kianig89 said:
Spot on from Gillespie , really slayed the Babar haters. Babar is like Lara of early 2000s WI no support from others. What should Babar do slambang 25 in (16) so the team is bundled out at 115 in 16 overs
Click to expand...
True we seen paks middle to late order virtually non exsistent. Rizwan & Baba play as many dots as you want a respectable 140 would do.
 
BouncerGuy said:
Babar can only play his natural game when he has support on the other end. When the Team is struggling for 20/2 in PP, how can he bat and play his natural game?

It is not always Babar's fault, sometimes he lacked support that he needs. He is a good player but cannot be a lone warrior who takes his team to victory single handedly.
Click to expand...

When you make excuses like this and feed his ego more and more, the guy will never improve, it’s not just basic fans with these assessments to but coaches which is deeply concerning. More is needed from Babar Azam.

What did he do in the Lanka series? the support was there from Abdullah, Salman and Saud; these brave men were willing to scribe to the brand of cricket neccessary for Pakistan to succeed, but this bloke, due to his inflated ego and blind worshippers, didn’t feel he should have pledged allegiance to the ‘Pakistan Way’.

Maybe Mickey got his branding wrong, should have termed his vision the ‘Rizwan Way’ and tricked Babar into being more proactive.🤔
 
AAli98 said:
True we seen paks middle to late order virtually non exsistent. Rizwan & Baba play as many dots as you want a respectable 140 would do.
Click to expand...
Yes, Pakistan should make sure we remain as good as PNG and Uganda cricket, thank you RizBar dot balls!
 
Pakistan Covid Cricket fans is a term that should be normalised. It shouldn’t be viewed as derogatory.

There is a section of Pakistan cricket fans that found a deep love for Pakistan cricket during covid. For them, cricket began in this era, and everything from this era is the best version of Pakistan. Whilst everything else from before was garbage.

Pre Covid Pakistan cricket fans would find it deeply insulting to be associated with this section of Pakistan cricket fans. We are not the same.
 
Hilarious that some people think of themselves more wiser than cricketers specially Gillespie who is no random Joe, played for Australia at their peak for good number of years ODI and Test, veteran as a coach had stints in English County.
 
His natural game comes when there is no pressure on him, but when there are pressure situations, he chokes.
 
Kianig89 said:
Hilarious that some people think of themselves more wiser than cricketers specially Gillespie who is no random Joe, played for Australia at their peak for good number of years ODI and Test, veteran as a coach had stints in English County.
Click to expand...
We saw how your reference of the wise Ponting backfired on you.
 
Rana said:
We saw how your reference of the wise Ponting backfired on you.
Click to expand...
We saw how your accusation on Babar and Misbah about Sharjeel took a nosedive , do not derail this thread . Gillespie words have more value than any keyboard warrior
 
Kianig89 said:
We saw how your accusation on Babar and Misbah about Sharjeel took a nosedive , do not derail this thread . Gillespie words have more value than any keyboard warrior
Click to expand...
Where is my accusation?
 
Last edited by a moderator:
TheSultan said:
This probably means they don’t have any special plans for him as they don’t really consider him a threat. That’s what happens with regular batsmen, you just bowl well to them and they’ll get out in any old fashion
Click to expand...
His got 35 international centuries I’m sure they had plans for him his not your run of the mill Azam khan type of player !
 
AAli98 said:
His got 35 international centuries I’m sure they had plans for him his not your run of the mill Azam khan type of player !
Click to expand...
Why do you and @Kianig89 always bring up trash players to make Babar look good?

Has anyone ever said, I'm sure they have plans for Warner and not your run of the mill Ben Dunk, or we have to play Warner as we have no other choice cause Ben Dunk is trash?

Quality players don't need trash heap player comparisons to make them look good.

Babar is overrated. Had Misbah been an actual genius, He'd realise pakistan's best bet was to improve fakhar zaman and figure out how to make him more consistent, Since peak fakhar is superior to any Whiteball batter in pakistan over the past 20 years.

Instead, the marketing propaganda was focused on Babar and rizwan, with fakhar being removed from Test, and shoved to slog in t20. Had the same treatment and coaching of all the previous coaches been given to him, Wed be seeing his monster 180 scores consistently.

Idkw you guys love mediocrity and constantly want to focus on Babar and rizwan improving, which from 2016 they have no doubt but you've seen these players peaks, it's that medicore to the point that their innings can't help us win anything, cough asia cup 2022 final cough.
 
BouncerGuy said:
Babar can only play his natural game when he has support on the other end. When the Team is struggling for 20/2 in PP, how can he bat and play his natural game?

It is not always Babar's fault, sometimes he lacked support that he needs. He is a good player but cannot be a lone warrior who takes his team to victory single handedly.
Click to expand...
When a team's score reaches 20-2 after 6 overs, the blame should fall on Babar as well since he opens the innings. Regardless of how weak the team is, your own strike rate cannot be slower than what the rest of the world operates at.
 
Kianig89 said:
Please try to read it carefully it was a comparison of situation, rather than individual comparison get our blind hate off Babar away
Click to expand...
Explain the situation

Let’s see if your comparison makes sense
 
Rana said:
Explain the situation

Let’s see if your comparison makes sense
Click to expand...
Lara was the best player in his side, so is Babar both captains have weak teams is that hard for you ain't you a Precovid Pakistan fan
 
Babar Azam was a fairly decent batsman till 2021 but after that he got obsessed with stats & ICC rankings - bcoz of this insane narrative of " best all format " batsman. That's where his game suffered. He became more focused on accumulating runs than playing for the team

If u watch Babar in 2019 - he was free flowing batsman. Now he looks tensed & edgy - almost like he is more scared of losing his wicket than anything else
 
The captaincy has disintegrated his game.

But his natural game or what was his natural game no longer works in white ball cricket.

He is declining massively to the point he will become a what if player as a opposed to, one of Pakistan most promising batters.
 
NishanKonar said:
Babar Azam was a fairly decent batsman till 2021 but after that he got obsessed with stats & ICC rankings - bcoz of this insane narrative of " best all format " batsman. That's where his game suffered. He became more focused on accumulating runs than playing for the team

If u watch Babar in 2019 - he was free flowing batsman. Now he looks tensed & edgy - almost like he is more scared of losing his wicket than anything else
Click to expand...
Can’t argue with this - well done Nishan Kumar
 
Babar's natural game has only earned him 2 POTM awards in big tournaments over his 9-year career, including one against Nepal. If he continues playing this way, it’s unlikely to change.

He needs to step out of his comfort zone and play for the team like Rohit Sharma. He could win more POTM awards, trophies for the team, and become a match-winner.
 
Babar Azam was a premier batsman until 2022, the reason why he has plummeted downwards is because of too much focus in t20s which is not cut out for him.

He needs to focus on his Odi and test game, he will again become a top 5 batsman, he has all the talent needed to achieve that.

He is not suited for t20s and should try to not change his game in the longer formats.
 
Kianig89 said:
Spot on from Gillespie , really slayed the Babar haters. Babar is like Lara of early 2000s WI no support from others. What should Babar do slambang 25 in (16) so the team is bundled out at 115 in 16 overs
Click to expand...
These Babar and Brian Lara analogies are beyond absurd. Lara bullied the best bowlers of his time across formats. Babar statpads against the likes of USA.

The right comparison to me is Brendan Taylor. Above average batter with limited striking ability in an otherwise bog standard lineup.

Babar is better than Taylor, but they're similar in the sense that they hold the batting together by playing conservatively.
 
sweep_shot said:
Babar's natural game was his pre-captaincy batting.

It seems like captaincy has ruined his form and confidence.
Click to expand...
actually after captaincy nothing changed much so cant expect a big change in his batting style specially in T20 cricket
 
Cricket Warrior said:
actually after captaincy nothing changed much so cant expect a big change in his batting style specially in T20 cricket
Click to expand...

If I remember correctly, Babar was scoring tons after tons. He has 19 ODI centuries. He even scored a great century in Australia.

He was in better form before captaincy.
 
Monday Morning said:
These Babar and Brian Lara analogies are beyond absurd. Lara bullied the best bowlers of his time across formats. Babar statpads against the likes of USA.

The right comparison to me is Brendan Taylor. Above average batter with limited striking ability in an otherwise bog standard lineup.

Babar is better than Taylor, but they're similar in the sense that they hold the batting together by playing conservatively.
Click to expand...
The hate towards Babar is clearly evident, in one sentence Babar ' comparison is with Brendan Taylor and then Babar is better than Taylor. Never did it was written than Babar is better than Lara.
 
Pakistan doesn’t have a good domestic structure, never had and probably will never have one.

Players like Yousuf, Inzi, Malik, Imran, Wasim, Waqar etc etc all went to county cricket to become the players they were.

Problem with Pakistan team today is that cricket landscape has changed now, the players go to different leagues to earn money and not county cricket. In leagues you make money but you won’t rectify your technical flaws which you can in county cricket.

It all depends on what Babar’s aim is for his legacy.

If Babar wants to become an ATG for Pakistan and wants to have a long lasting legacy, he needs to go and play county for 2 years like Yousuf did in early 2000s. After his county stint Yousuf had one of the best years ever.

If Babars aim is to just earn money and live a lavish life he’s already doing it and can continue playing leagues. He is still the best bat in Pakistan and post retirement he can come on TV channels and blast the newer kids and blame everyone else other than himself for him not being a great batsman, like every other Pakistani player from past.
 
Babar's natural game was what we saw before he took the extra burden of captaincy. I don't know if it is ego or somebody in PCB is pushing him to be the captain, but it is not working in his favor.

Since he became the captain, he became more careful and unnecessary most of the times, forgot his game against spin, kind of scared batter I would say.

Should get this unnecessary burden of captaincy off himself and try to be a great batter again.
 
pakistani pride said:
You seriously have 0 cricket knowledge or sense when you compare a great like Lara to Babar.
Click to expand...
I don't know if cognitive ability of people is getting lower day be day but.... Whatever comparison is going on between babar and lara, it is solely in the context of team position, not head to head.
 
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