Mohammad Rizwan prepared for South Africa series, Babar Azam didn’t – A Tale of Two Mindsets?

[Mohammad Aizaz]

When it comes to work ethic, intent, and adaptability, Mohammad Rizwan seems to be miles ahead right now. You can clearly see that Rizwan prepared for this format, this series, and these conditions — his body language, his fitness, his approach all scream “ready.”


Babar Azam, on the other hand, looked undercooked. Whether it’s a lack of match practice, poor planning, or overconfidence in his natural ability, the difference is visible.


It’s not about talent — both are world-class — it’s about preparation, hunger, and focus. Rizwan looks like a man on a mission, while Babar… just didn’t look switched on.


What do you think? Is this just a form issue or a mindset issue?

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[JibranAnsari]

I don't want to compare the two, but it seems quite clear at the moment that babar azam isnt ready to put in hard yards. He hasnt played any domestic red ball cricket for a long time now, to regain his form he should have done that. He is basically playing some t20s and odis and now t20 /hundred/t10 leagues around the world are reluctant to hire him. He hasn't worked with any good coaches after loss of form to know whats wrong with him. I don't know if he is in any squad of ongoing quaid e azam trophy.

I feel that his career will soon be over if he doesnt do anything about it.

 

[Farabi]

I don't want to compare the two, but it seems quite clear at the moment that babar azam isnt ready to put in hard yards. He hasnt played any domestic red ball cricket for a long time now, to regain his form he should have done that. He is basically playing some t20s and odis and now t20 /hundred/t10 leagues around the world are reluctant to hire him. He hasn't worked with any good coaches after loss of form to know whats wrong with him. I don't know if he is in any squad of ongoing quaid e azam trophy.

I feel that his career will soon be over if he doesnt do anything about it.

Big Bash League picked him, which is a competitive league. Although he should play redball.

 

[Mohammad Aizaz]

For BBL I think he's there for the brand value

Big Bash League picked him, which is a competitive league. Although he should play redball.

 

[JibranAnsari]

Big Bash League picked him, which is a competitive league. Although he should play redball.

Yes, yes signed on reputation more than the form but this thing can't last long. Seems like he has leaned into middle age life

 

[NishanKonar]

Mentioned this in another thread

Babar simply does not have the hunger & drive. He is just happy & content with what he has achieved & mass adulation he gets from his crazy fanbase. He had 4 months off & still did not bother to play any county cricket to prepare for new season - instead chose to play golf & post pix on social media

 

[YousafTheBeast]

Runs in the family…not long before his brother goes on a hunger strike until Babar gets picked for the LOI format.

 

[tiger_khan]

When it comes to work ethic, intent, and adaptability, Mohammad Rizwan seems to be miles ahead right now. You can clearly see that Rizwan prepared for this format, this series, and these conditions — his body language, his fitness, his approach all scream “ready.”


Babar Azam, on the other hand, looked undercooked. Whether it’s a lack of match practice, poor planning, or overconfidence in his natural ability, the difference is visible.


It’s not about talent — both are world-class — it’s about preparation, hunger, and focus. Rizwan looks like a man on a mission, while Babar… just didn’t look switched on.


What do you think? Is this just a form issue or a mindset issue?

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Babar was OK in the second innings in my opinion. Got unlucky with the umpire's call LBW decision

But I agree. The work ethics of the two players are different. Babar seems to be very lethargic.

A world class player does not have century drought for so long. Babar's performance used to be of top-shelf. Not anymore.


Rizwan I think is a very good player. He reminds me of Collingwood. The latter was also a very limited player but he used whatever he had to the maximum extent and made his team win. Rizwan like Collingwood is a very important player for his country.

 

[ads101]

Fighting for your place through domestic is unfamiliar to Babar. He’s never had to do it. He was always told it’s just a matter of time before he would play for Pakistan when he was young. So he probably finds it strange and even below him. It feels different simply just playing domestic games and actually competing for a spot. Maybe he has doubts he’d even outcompete the rest of the batsmen in domestic too.

The thing is it’s just common with child stars like this. It’s difficult even to blame this mentality, I’m sure most of them are like this. A lot of top sportsman their ego is large and they need to keep their confidence high. A bit of arrogance helps them sometimes.

I think that’s why Babar’s been so hurt the loss of captaincy. I think he thought it as a given he would be an international batsman. An automatic regardless given his talent. His dream was to be a legendary captain of Pakistan. He’s failed at that, and it feels like a kick in the teeth to fail at your dream. Even in his first captaincy stint he could say he had a few good moments. That second captaincy stint absolutely ruined his legacy as a captain.

Guys like Rizwan are just happy to be in the side. They’ve gone through periods where they doubted they wouldn’t break into international side. Let alone dreaming about captaincy. He’s earned his place through domestic and probably feels he can do it again.

Isn’t even a shot on Babar. Even Umar not sure he took domestic that seriously. Felt a bit weird when yousuf was not picked for t20 and was told to play domestic for a place. It’s also probably not a coincidence that these child prodigy players don’t tend to make the best captains either.

You’ve got to handle these talented players properly. Sometimes you do have to give them leeways, different treatments than others. It happens in all sports. We never should have given him captaincy again, it was a massive risk for someone like him. It’s not like captaincy has little effect or importance on him. Now it’s backfired we’re dealing with that. His confidence and hunger have gone. Feels humiliated and spent his whole life thinking he was either one of the most talented ever for Pakistan or one of the best batsmen ever for Pakistan. And because he’s been fed this thinking, coddled for so long, it is difficult to suddenly come back from that by fighting through domestic which he hasn’t needed to do before.

 

[Buffet]

I think hunger is not there.

Secured spot, praise from captain for scoring 50-60 runs in tests, all media attention - It seems he is more or less satisfied with that. I had high expectation from him to be honest, but he has done nothing to meet that. He should have imporve his game, but it did not happen.

 

[Savak]

In 2023 Babar had 9 test centuries, Shubman Gill and Jaiswal had 1 each.

Today in 2025, Babar is still stuck on 9 centuries, Gill has 10 centuries and Jaiswal has 8 centuries.

Neither does Babar have any work ethic to speak off, he is also incredibly over rated and has been worked out by all world class bowlers and captains via field placings. Won't be long before his average falls below 40 and he will be discarded like Umar Akmal.

 

[BouncerGuy]

Babar is not looking like working on his shortcomings; instead, he is posting pics and videos of golf and even when he is playing in nets, he is just playing normal stuff. Not like he is working on spin problems or trying to play against inswingers.

RIzwan is a workhorse... No more words needed to describe him.

 

[Varun]

Babar idolized Kohli so much that he became like him - lost interest in batsmanship.

 

[Major]

It runs in the family.

When a group of people with no education get the top jobs, they develop an ego. They think going back to domestic or club is beneath them.

Rizwan on the other hand is playing whatever crickrt he can get his hands onto. Whether its club, first class or whatever it is