Like Sachin Tendulkar, Babar Azam needs his Sourav Ganguly

[Corridor of Uncertainty]

Too many similarities between Babar and Sachin.

Pakistan's recent results are what 90's India's used to be.

A lot of it has to do with the bowling and batting talent available to both teams.

One person in both teams with responsibility to do bulk of the scoring. Sachin kept all of India interested in cricket despite the losses with monstrous scores. Babar, though not the same level as Sachin, has the same burden.

Then Ganguly happened.

Suddenly, the team transformed. Sachin's contributions would now lead to wins.

You could argue Sehwag, Dravid, Laxman, Kumble also came around the time - but they may not have been what they became without Ganguly's winning mentality. Ganguly himself was a real talent.

Babar needs a Ganguly.

He has shown he can't captain well. Thankfully his performances are fine, even if not matchwinning.

Someone in PCB has to unearth a Ganguly style leader from the domestics - someone with real (not fake Pakistani) aggression and winning mindset.

The current team is too diffident, too happy with mediocrity, too in awe of Babar's gifts.

Too many saints in the team, not enough sinners.

Are there any candidates?

 

[Bhaag Viru Bhaag]

Good thread. I have said the exact thing in Babar threads but few fans got hurt because they thought I was comparing Sachin the batsman with Babar. Pretty sure even you are not comparing them on batting terms and comparing the situation, teams and captaincy. Babar should resign from captaincy because he is worse than Sachin was as a captain.

 

[Corridor of Uncertainty]

Good thread. I have said the exact thing in Babar threads but few fans got hurt because they thought I was comparing Sachin the batsman with Babar. Pretty sure even you are not comparing them on batting terms and comparing the situation, teams and captaincy. Babar should resign from captaincy because he is worse than Sachin was as a captain.

Babar can't compare to Sachin in batting prowess. But in captaincy, I'd put them as equals. Babar has had some good moments, particularly in white ball.

 

[jnaveen1980]

Shafique/Imam will take exception to this. Both provided more than ample support.

 

[Nikhil_cric]

India in the 90's was much better than Pakistan is now. We didn't lose a single Test series at home in the entire decade.

Pakistan's issues have nothing to do with captaincy. The team is as mediocre as it gets in this format. Having said that, I do think Bobby needs a break. Pakistan should first find its best available personnel and then employ a strategy that can best get you results at home based on strength of said personnel.

 

[ElRaja]

there is no ganguly in pakistan, ganguly's privileged background gave him the self-confidence to project his team as equals to the big teams, theres no Pakistani player who has that confidence in themselves, let alone enough to project it for the entire team. there could be multiple paragraphs written to explain why this is, but it is what it is.

most young Pakistani players are nice guys, they dont look to be the aggressive confrontational types at all. the last pak player who had the self-belief to mess with the best was asif.

 

[Kianig89]

India in the 90's was much better than Pakistan is now. We didn't lose a single Test series at home in the entire decade.

Pakistan's issues have nothing to do with captaincy. The team is as mediocre as it gets in this format. Having said that, I do think Bobby needs a break. Pakistan should first find its best available personnel and then employ a strategy that can best get you results at home based on strength of said personnel.

Haha then not only Ganguly, Babar needs a Dravid Srinath/Zak as well

 

[Buffet]

Too many similarities between Babar and Sachin.

Pakistan's recent results are what 90's India's used to be.

A lot of it has to do with the bowling and batting talent available to both teams.

One person in both teams with responsibility to do bulk of the scoring. Sachin kept all of India interested in cricket despite the losses with monstrous scores. Babar, though not the same level as Sachin, has the same burden.

Then Ganguly happened.

Suddenly, the team transformed. Sachin's contributions would now lead to wins.

You could argue Sehwag, Dravid, Laxman, Kumble also came around the time - but they may not have been what they became without Ganguly's winning mentality. Ganguly himself was a real talent.

Babar needs a Ganguly.

He has shown he can't captain well. Thankfully his performances are fine, even if not matchwinning.

Someone in PCB has to unearth a Ganguly style leader from the domestics - someone with real (not fake Pakistani) aggression and winning mindset.

The current team is too diffident, too happy with mediocrity, too in awe of Babar's gifts.

Too many saints in the team, not enough sinners.

Are there any candidates?

Apart from being the best player in their teams, I see no similarities.

Indians hardly used to lose at home.

Also, SRT couldn't force away win due to weak bowling, but he scored 8 tons which resulted in win or draw when playing away. Many tons were where wickets were falling all around him, but he forced a draw due to his runs.

 

[Buffet]

Pakistan's problem is bigger and it's not just about having a Ganguly.

 

[Ab Fan]

India were a better side during Sachin's time in Tests than Pakistan are now.

Pakistan are a minnow level test team and I think there is a disinterest towards that format among Pak players which could be due to many reasons. The likes of Shadab Khan prioritising LO cricket is an example of that.

 

[Bewal Express]

But who? Shaan can't buy a run, Saud is at the start of his career, Imam isn't captaincy material

 

[Dr_Bassim]

This works both ways.

Its more like "Be careful what you wish for".

It could prove that Babar just needed to play with freedom and indeed a Ganguly was the problem.

Or if something like this happen, and Babar still doesn't "perform to certain expectations" , the jury will crucify him for actually being soft.

Right now, he can hide behind the "team is not good and a king among blind men" analogies and he would be "greatest batsmen on earth if there was enough support".

Nowhere to hide, if indeed a Ganguly arises.

 

[Ab Fan]

But who? Shaan can't buy a run, Saud is at the start of his career, Imam isn't captaincy material

Pakistan's greatest fielder and their proven match winner LOI all rounder.

 

[TeymurBlake]

India in the 90's was much better than Pakistan is now. We didn't lose a single Test series at home in the entire decade.

Pakistan's issues have nothing to do with captaincy. The team is as mediocre as it gets in this format. Having said that, I do think Bobby needs a break. Pakistan should first find its best available personnel and then employ a strategy that can best get you results at home based on strength of said personnel.

Agreed about Bobby needing a break. He has played a lot of cricket under his belt and could do with a break.

 

[jnaveen1980]

India in the 90's was much better than Pakistan is now. We didn't lose a single Test series at home in the entire decade.

Pakistan's issues have nothing to do with captaincy. The team is as mediocre as it gets in this format. Having said that, I do think Bobby needs a break. Pakistan should first find its best available personnel and then employ a strategy that can best get you results at home based on strength of said personnel.

It is better not to discuss 90s cricket as a comparison for anything. Too many shady things were going on right under the nose of Sachin.

 

[Cover Drive Six]

Ganguly is born leader.

He fought against all odds and was successful in bringing many new good players to the international circuit who helped shape the future of the Indian cricket, and also helped India win many major tournaments

 

[JattMaula]

Bobby B needs a real coach and a team manager. His captaincy isn't going anywhere.

 

[Corridor of Uncertainty]

I disagree with most.

Many counted out England until Stokes/McCullum hapapened.

Many counted out 70's Pakistan until Imran happened.

The same weak team can perform better (even if not world beater) with better leadership.

In corporate life too.

Don't count out leadership. This bunch can do far better under better guidance.

 

[Bilal Ahmad15]

I disagree with most.

Many counted out England until Stokes/McCullum hapapened.

Many counted out 70's Pakistan until Imran happened.

The same weak team can perform better (even if not world beater) with better leadership.

In corporate life too.

Don't count out leadership. This bunch can do far better under better guidance.

Seriously, The 'mighty' Bazball just started, hasn't even achieved anything big.

We need to accept that Babar wont be in the GOAT or ATG or whatever legendary category. His 196 against Australia and his 161 against New Zealand were on complete flat pitches. He has only one test century in SENA, as much, or actually, as little as Yasir Shah, who also has one Test century in SENA.

The main point I want to make is; Just enjoy watching Babar, and the other good players in this team like Abrar, Shaheen, Naseem while they are playing and performing. Because, theoretically, and inevitably, the next generation of players will be worse than their previous generation of cricketers

 

[Corridor of Uncertainty]

Seriously, The 'mighty' Bazball just started, hasn't even achieved anything big.

We need to accept that Babar wont be in the GOAT or ATG or whatever legendary category. His 196 against Australia and his 161 against New Zealand were on complete flat pitches. He has only one test century in SENA, as much, or actually, as little as Yasir Shah, who also has one Test century in SENA.

The main point I want to make is; Just enjoy watching Babar, and the other good players in this team like Abrar, Shaheen, Naseem while they are playing and performing. Because, theoretically, and inevitably, the next generation of players will be worse than their previous generation of cricketers

I know pessimism is woke nowadays but I am not in that bandwagon mate. One should always try to change the course of adverse events.

 

[ArabKnight]

“Too many similarities between Babar and Sachin.”

Full stop. No.

 

[jeetu]

I do see parallels , Babar is carrying teams batting on his shoulders similar to Sachin his first decade. As long as Babar's performance is not affected he can remain captain. In Sachin's case it was affecting his batting , thus it made sense to change captain.

 

[TheSultan]

I do see parallels , Babar is carrying teams batting on his shoulders similar to Sachin his first decade. As long as Babar's performance is not affected he can remain captain. In Sachin's case it was affecting his batting , thus it made sense to change captain.

It’s not only about it affecting the individual’s game, it’s also about it affecting the team’s results.

If you’re not good enough to captain - which he clearly isn’t - there is no shame in taking a dignified back seat and playing as a batsman. After all there are many batsmen who have done the same. There are much bigger names than babar who have failed at captaincy and quit for the good of the team.

 

[Rana]

Shan Masood can be his Ganguly?

 

[topspin]

Pakistan's test side is just trash. The biggest problem isn't the batting, it's the pace bowling, without Shaheen it's worse than Bangladesh (no cap).

 

[BreadPakoda]

I do see parallels , Babar is carrying teams batting on his shoulders similar to Sachin his first decade. As long as Babar's performance is not affected he can remain captain. In Sachin's case it was affecting his batting , thus it made sense to change captain.

He averaged ~52 as captain. Low as per his standards those days, but otherwise not bad at all.

 

[MP2011]

He averaged ~52 as captain. Low as per his standards those days, but otherwise not bad at all.

Indeed. It has become fashionable to say that captaincy affected Tendulkar's batting. Facts prove otherwise though.

 

[MP2011]

Shan Masood can be his Ganguly?

Ganguly regressed a lot as a batsman during his latter years. However, Shan Masood hasn't shown anything in his test career (apart from good English) that he can be Babar's Ganguly.

When Ganguly became our captain, he was mainstay of our batting line-up along with Tendulkar and Dravid something which cannot be said about Shan Masood.

 

[Hitman]

It's an insult to the game for Sachin Tendulkar to be mentioned in the same sentence as Babar Azam. Tendulkar was constantly being compared to Bradman in the 90's, that's how good he was. So much that cricket Bible Wisden rated him the 2nd greatest Test and ODI batsman of all time in 2002. Babar isn't good enough to be mentioned among guys like Smith, Kohli, Root, Williamson in Test cricket.

 

[Corridor of Uncertainty]

It's an insult to the game for Sachin Tendulkar to be mentioned in the same sentence as Babar Azam. Tendulkar was constantly being compared to Bradman in the 90's, that's how good he was. So much that cricket Bible Wisden rated him the 2nd greatest Test and ODI batsman of all time in 2002. Babar isn't good enough to be mentioned among guys like Smith, Kohli, Root, Williamson in Test cricket.

Context mate. It is about their roles in weak teams, not the quality of batsmen.

Babar and Zaheer Abbas will be good parallel as well.

Either way, good to read the post first.

 

[Farabi]

It's an insult to the game for Sachin Tendulkar to be mentioned in the same sentence as Babar Azam. Tendulkar was constantly being compared to Bradman in the 90's, that's how good he was. So much that cricket Bible Wisden rated him the 2nd greatest Test and ODI batsman of all time in 2002. Babar isn't good enough to be mentioned among guys like Smith, Kohli, Root, Williamson in Test cricket.

Don’t understand the arrogance of Indian fans as if their talent comes from moon. Babar is a very strong player and has performed well all over the world. In terms of capability there is or much difference. Sachin had many weaknesses and only came into his own in late 90s. Sachin didn’t perform well vs Pakistan until 2000s. In 90s, he was almost routinely owned by the likes of Saqlain, Razzak and Wasim.

 

[Farabi]

Too many similarities between Babar and Sachin.

Pakistan's recent results are what 90's India's used to be.

A lot of it has to do with the bowling and batting talent available to both teams.

One person in both teams with responsibility to do bulk of the scoring. Sachin kept all of India interested in cricket despite the losses with monstrous scores. Babar, though not the same level as Sachin, has the same burden.

Then Ganguly happened.

Suddenly, the team transformed. Sachin's contributions would now lead to wins.

You could argue Sehwag, Dravid, Laxman, Kumble also came around the time - but they may not have been what they became without Ganguly's winning mentality. Ganguly himself was a real talent.

Babar needs a Ganguly.

He has shown he can't captain well. Thankfully his performances are fine, even if not matchwinning.

Someone in PCB has to unearth a Ganguly style leader from the domestics - someone with real (not fake Pakistani) aggression and winning mindset.

The current team is too diffident, too happy with mediocrity, too in awe of Babar's gifts.

Too many saints in the team, not enough sinners.

Are there any candidates?

Saim Ayub.

 

[ask_analyse_act]

Babar though he is not a natural leader tactically..

He needs that assurance for his leadership... He selects mediocre players could be due to job insecurity and his batting prowess will be obviously get highlighted when nobody scores....

Now with the kick out to Azhar , seems like he is forming a test batting lineup which is relatively young , they need more games for experience.. Similarly needs to inject FC wicket takers like Sameen Gul into the side to bolster the bowling attack.. bring back Yasir and Hasan Ali

No team can win if they have bowlers like Mohammad Ali, Faheem Ashraf, Zahid mehmood, Nauman Ali, Haris rauf and Wasim jnr in tests.. Naseem is too young but he has some sort of experience in top level playing test cricket..

Blame entirely should go to avg Wasim the PPT selector and Saqi who had no vision and no backup players to play test cricket..

Since Shaheen was injured the whole bowling lineup was very weak..

In tests they need to take 20 wickets , 1 bowler cant do that.. and the bowler who they rely on to take early wickets is also gone out injured... Literally they have nobody to take 20 wickets as it was evident with the intro of Abrar Ahmed who took 8 wicket in the first inns , later on they studied his variation and he is now struggling too..

Saqlain with so much experience as a spin bowling coach has not produced one spinner during his tenure as coach.. There is not even one spinner that they can rely upon , still Yasir Shah is their best test spinner and his place is vacant.. Thats the difference between qualified coaches and coach like Saqlain..

 

[Sidilicious]

No, Ganguly type won't help Pakistan or Babar, because of following
1. Indian team of the 90s was much superior to the current Pakistani team. We still had decent spinners, and batsmen who could play spin well, thus allowing us to dominate at home.

2. Tendulkar had scored many runs to draw multiple games in SENA. Manchester 91, Sydney 92, Nottingham 96, Johannesburg 92, whereas Babar isn't at the same Level. Having a better captain will not necessarily turn Babar into a better batsman.

3. Tendulkar's captaincy was not as pathetic as Babar's. Tendulkar wasn't a leader, but IIRC strategically he was not too shabby. Babar is neither a leader, nor he has any cricketing intelligence, as shown by the declaration the other day.

The only similarity is that both of them are the best batsman. But the next captain (and for the sake of Pakistan cricket, Babar is replaced soon) will have his work out with the bowling. No bench strength for pace bowlers and no handy spinners, means winning at home also looks unlikely. On top of that, they don't have the batting to draw matches against strong teams.

And its not like Babar's batting has regresses due to captaincy. Even before captaincy he didn't have much to talk about runs in tests in SENA.
As far as batting at home is concerned, this is very new and can't be compared with batting in UAE. He hasn't been able to draw tests at home, which he should be doing consistently, at least once a series.

 

[Kaddy]

First of all Babar Azam & Pakistan need bowlers who can take 20 wickets in a test match.

I am sorry to say, current Pakistani bowling can't do this against quality sides neither in Asia nor in SENA.

Babar is unarguably poor captain but if you give this bowling line up to Clive Lloyd, Ganguly or Ponting, they will all look poor captains.

 

[Bhaijaan]

If the campaign goes bad, do you see him dropping the captaincy ?

 

[Hitman]

I really feel bad about him. He is a really good player. It's his fan base that has elevated him to some GOAT category and expect miracles from him every match.