[PICTURES/VIDEOS] Time for a reality check - Has Babar Azam been defended too much? Does he deserve more criticism?

[FearlessRoar]

Babar Azam, often regarded as one of Pakistan's finest modern-day batters, has certainly made his mark in world cricket.

But, let’s take a closer look at his recent performance in Test cricket, especially at home.

In his last 10 Test innings on Pakistani soil (most recent first):

• 1(5)
• 5(11)
• 8(20)
• 5(18)
• 30(71)
• 11(18)
• 31(77)
• 22(50)
• 0(2)
• 27(41)

Average in Tests at home: A mere 32.45 when excluding the four series on Pakistani road pitches. Shouldn’t this be a concern?

His performance since 2023 in all formats tells a similar story:

At Home: 1 fifty in 13 innings
Away from Home: 10 fifties in 31 innings

This raises some important questions: Is Babar Azam being shielded too much, especially with underwhelming numbers in the domestic arena? With so many backers, are we too afraid to criticize the captain for his struggles, particularly in home conditions?

Does the media, fans, and analysts give him too much leeway because of his past reputation, or is it time for him to face the pressure of honest feedback? Does he deserve more criticism, especially with such limited returns in home Test matches?

The silence surrounding Babar's recent performances is deafening, and it makes you wonder—are we simply too scared to call out the shortcomings?

Meanwhile his fans:

 

[FearlessRoar]

Sad to see the decline of our elite batter, but it's time to accept the facts.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1883091440131248242

 

[Rana]

Sad to see the decline of our elite batter, but it's time to accept the facts.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1883091440131248242

2o2s WilL bE tHe YeAr oF bAbAr bEcAuSe 16o iQ

 

[m.shah]

Sad to see the decline of our elite batter, but it's time to accept the facts.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1883091440131248242

These are terrible figures. He should be dropped from T20 and tests

 

[Rana]

These are terrible figures. He should be dropped from T20 and tests

But but but he was in the ICC T20 team of the year

 

[badsha001]

I don't know what anyone is smoking these days to think Babar was good. He was never the elite batsman.

His media people and his hype machine put in more effort and worked harder than himself.

 

[Rana]

We shouldn’t criticise him,

He is too you, too classy.

@topspin

 

[mominsaigol]

We shouldn’t criticise him,

He is too you, too classy.

@topspin

@daytrader still enjoying your weekend .

Genuinely though you claimed and I quote I believe babar will finish off as Pakistan's best batter and atm he's currently playing wait until he retires.

Lets do some test stats

Miandad: 52 avg, 23 test centuries, 124 test games, 61 avg in pak, 77 in Nz, 38 in aus, 46 in eng, 33 in wi, never played in sa, 15 in sri lanka, 49 in India, scored a century in every country except sa, India and sri lanka. Also Bangladesh as he never played in bang.

Inzi: 49 avg, 25 test centuries, 120 test games, 30 avg in aus, 136 in bang, 42 in eng, 54 in india, 59 in NZ, 53 in pak, 31 in sa, 58 in sri lanka, 25 in uae, 57 in wi, 49 in zim, Scored a century in evrry country except sa and uae.

Yousaf: 52 avg, 24 test centuries, 90 test games, 31 avg in aus, 147 in bang, 54 in eng, 33 in india, 55 in NZ, 65 in pak, 26 in sa, 33 in sri lanka, 90 in UAE, 60 in wi, 58 in zimb, scored a century in every country except sa.

And finally YK Pakistan's greatest test batter ever

Yk: 52 Avg, 34 test centuries, 118 test matches 10K + runs, 50 avg in aus, 100 in bang, 50 in eng, 76 in india, 43 in NZ, 59 in pak, 32 in sa, 45 in sri lanka, 55 in uae, 22 in wi, 75 in zimb, scored a century in every country thats he's played in.

^^ YK is the best plain and simple, Won't talk about zaheer as he's a 70's batter.

Now finally you have Babar Azam

Babar: 42 avg, 9 test centuries, 58 test matches played, 25 avg in aus, 49 avg in bang, 65 avg in eng, 36 in Ireland, 47 in NZ, 55 in pak, 41 in sa, 49 in sri lanka, 40 in uae, 36 in wi, 1.00 in zimb lol. Zero centuries in bang, England, Ireland, new Zealand, South Africa, west indies and Zimbabwe.

^^ And he's already 30 will turn 31 this year. So you're telling me that

A) Babar will raise his avg to 50+ again even though he mever reached it once in his test career his peak being 49.

B) Babar will score test centuries in eng, Ireland, new Zealand, Sa, Wi and Zimb to catch up to YK.

C) Will score 10K test runs

D) will surpass YK's 34 test century tally

^^ All in 7 to 9 years to become Pakistan's best ever batter even though his avg has now declined to 42 making him a below azhar ali test batter.

Babar will apprantly reach from azhar ali level to > YK level when he retires all in 7 to 9 years?

@daytrader Is this your actual gut feeling?

@Rana @topspin @emranabbas and @Dr_Bassim + God as my witness

 

[m.shah]

@daytrader still enjoying your weekend .

Genuinely though you claimed and I quote I believe babar will finish off as Pakistan's best batter and atm he's currently playing wait until he retires.

Lets do some test stats

Miandad: 52 avg, 23 test centuries, 124 test games, 61 avg in pak, 77 in Nz, 38 in aus, 46 in eng, 33 in wi, never played in sa, 15 in sri lanka, 49 in India, scored a century in every country except sa, India and sri lanka. Also Bangladesh as he never played in bang.

Inzi: 49 avg, 25 test centuries, 120 test games, 30 avg in aus, 136 in bang, 42 in eng, 54 in india, 59 in NZ, 53 in pak, 31 in sa, 58 in sri lanka, 25 in uae, 57 in wi, 49 in zim, Scored a century in evrry country except sa and uae.

Yousaf: 52 avg, 24 test centuries, 90 test games, 31 avg in aus, 147 in bang, 54 in eng, 33 in india, 55 in NZ, 65 in pak, 26 in sa, 33 in sri lanka, 90 in UAE, 60 in wi, 58 in zimb, scored a century in every country except sa.

And finally YK Pakistan's greatest test batter ever

Yk: 52 Avg, 34 test centuries, 118 test matches 10K + runs, 50 avg in aus, 100 in bang, 50 in eng, 76 in india, 43 in NZ, 59 in pak, 32 in sa, 45 in sri lanka, 55 in uae, 22 in wi, 75 in zimb, scored a century in every country thats he's played in.

^^ YK is the best plain and simple, Won't talk about zaheer as he's a 70's batter.

Now finally you have Babar Azam

Babar: 42 avg, 9 test centuries, 58 test matches played, 25 avg in aus, 49 avg in bang, 65 avg in eng, 36 in Ireland, 47 in NZ, 55 in pak, 41 in sa, 49 in sri lanka, 40 in uae, 36 in wi, 1.00 in zimb lol. Zero centuries in bang, England, Ireland, new Zealand, South Africa, west indies and Zimbabwe.

^^ And he's already 30 will turn 31 this year. So you're telling me that

A) Babar will raise his avg to 50+ again even though he mever reached it once in his test career his peak being 49.

B) Babar will score test centuries in eng, Ireland, new Zealand, Sa, Wi and Zimb to catch up to YK.

C) Will score 10K test runs

D) will surpass YK's 34 test century tally

^^ All in 7 to 9 years to become Pakistan's best ever batter even though his avg has now declined to 42 making him a below azhar ali test batter.

Babar will apprantly reach from azhar ali level to > YK level when he retires all in 7 to 9 years?

@daytrader Is this your actual gut feeling?

@Rana @topspin @emranabbas and @Dr_Bassim + God as my witness

Asad Shafiq was better test batsman then him too.

 

[RidiculousMan]

Good thing for Babar is he will have a huge gap in Test Cricket now. Plenty of time to correct things and come back

 

[Bhaijaan]

This is bit sad for me as i always follow young talent in cricket with great interest and Babar really is the poster boy of Pakistan cricket in the last decade in that sense. Nobody can say Babar wasn’t good, we remember young Babar taking on Dale Steyn in South Africa, we remember him showing his class in Australia in 2019 in the Brisbane test when he made a great century, his 196 in Sri Lanka at Galle was a special knock too.

He’s just going through a patch where he seems shattered mentally. Very similar case to Virat Kohli. Both should go back to domestic cricket or play in county cricket. There is no shame in going back to FCs and working on your batting confidence and fine tuning your technique.

I hope he bounces back. He’s one of the best stroke players in test cricket without a doubt and whenever he smashes the next century it’s going to be a cracking one.

 

[topspin]

Good thing for Babar is he will have a huge gap in Test Cricket now. Plenty of time to correct things and come back

We've been saying this for years. He'll be 31 in April, he should be peaking now. How much longer does he need?

 

[gazza619]

But but but he was in the ICC T20 team of the year

But but but you hate him even when scores a ton. You are biased who rates Asif Ali above Babar and therefore your view holds no value.

 

[topspin]

@Bewal Express

Not to worry, he's still too young and too classy. If only he was bestowed with the Australian system behind him, what a different career it might have been...

 

[Bewal Express]

@Bewal Express

Not to worry, he's still too young and too classy. If only he was bestowed with the Australian system behind him, what a different career it might have been...

He is an IA he will come back. Enjoy his failures because IA he will come back stronger. Are you saying he is too old to PK?

 

[topspin]

He is an IA he will come back. Enjoy his failures because IA he will come back stronger. Are you saying he is too old to PK?

I don't enjoy his failures. I'm a Pakistan cricket fan.

I just know he's not good enough. I'm sorry that my standards aren't as mediocre as yours.

 

[Bewal Express]

I don't enjoy his failures. I'm a Pakistan cricket fan.

I just know he's not good enough. I'm sorry that my standards aren't as mediocre as yours.

Well your friends get turned on by his failures. I am a fan, I pray that he does well because it will make PK successfull. He is too young and too classy to fade away. Keep quoting these. I give it out and I can take it.

 

[topspin]

Are you saying he is too old to PK?

Certainly not too old to play international cricket, just not a youngster like you're making him out to be.

"Too young and too classy" statement was always going to backfire. Perhaps it's time to retract it.

 

[topspin]

Well your friends get turned on by his failures. I am a fan, I pray that he does well because it will make PK successfull. He is too young and too classy to fade away. Keep quoting these. I give it out and I can take it.

 

[Bewal Express]

I can take it.

 

[RidiculousMan]

We've been saying this for years. He'll be 31 in April, he should be peaking now. How much longer does he need?

As long as he is playing

 

[topspin]

I can take it.

If Babar continues to regress, he's going to average under 40 in tests. Can you take that?

He only has two away test hundreds and just one of those is from outside Asia.

After 59 tests, I think it's fair to say, he hasn't lived up to his potential.

 

[Bewal Express]

Certainly not too old to play international cricket, just not a youngster like you're making him out to be.

"Too young and too classy" statement was always going to backfire. Perhaps it's time to retract it.

30 is young when you consider batters play into 36-38 age group. As I said i am a fan, and my man is going through a horrible period. He should open, for me it's a no brainer. He showed in SA that technically he has the game to open and he was head and shoulders above the others in leaving the ball. Concentration is a big issue and his lapses are costly

 

[topspin]

As long as he is playing

No direspect, but all you blind Babar cheerleaders seem to one thing in common. None of you make any sense.

 

[Devadwal]

Ever since @Mamoon started supporting Babar, his bad days have comes.

 

[topspin]

30 is young when you consider batters play into 36-38 age group.

This right here is the Misbah effect. This guy normalised playing well into your 40s. He set a bad precedent.

It's normal for only some players to play up until their late 30s. Reflexes start to go in your mid 30s. Babar is only 3-4 years from that stage. There's no where you can say he's young.

 

[Rana]

“Too young, too classy to fade away”

 

[topspin]

“Too young, too classy to fade away”

Famous last words

 

[Rana]

Famous last words

Australian system behind him

 

[Nasty Naz]

Of course. Test wise he is an average batsmen and I think it says a lot he has nearly no notable match winning knocks in Tests. His only century in SENA came in a blowout match vs Australia. Only has 1 POTM in his entire Test career and even that came in a draw.

He's always been weak against left arm spin for years and those same issues still persist. Little to no innovation in his game too. I'm not sure how a player who is nearly a decade into his international career and still hasn't added a simple sweep shot to combat the spinners.

 

[Rana]

If Babar continues to regress, he's going to average under 40 in tests. Can you take that?

He only has two away test hundreds and just one of those is from outside Asia.

After 59 tests, I think it's fair to say, he hasn't lived up to his potential.

What exactly is he?

He doesn’t seem like a Test player

He definitely isn’t a T20 player

So what is he now? And ODI specialist? That’s his format to cling on to?

 

[topspin]

Babar Azam should only be playing in SENA tests. I certainly don't think he should bat in the top 3 either. I would say number 5.

His career was on track up until 2019 World Cup. He was in the ascendency under Mickey Arthur but when Misbah took over, he ruined another one. Nothing more than a Misbah product.

I have no doubt that he's the most overrated player in the history of cricket.

 

[topspin]

What exactly is he?

He doesn’t seem like a Test player

He definitely isn’t a T20 player

So what is he now? And ODI specialist? That’s his format to cling on to?

He should certainly be dropped from T20Is and in tests, he only warrants a place in the side for the series played in SENA.

 

[Rana]

Imagine crying about people celebrating Babar’s failures,


The people crying now are the same people who used to do everything they can to shift the blame from Babar and Rizwan to all other batters and bowlers. They seem to forget how they also used to go after guys who were telling them 3-4 years ago that Babar and his mate are selfishly destroying Pakistan cricket for their own purposes. The same people who start questioning your religious , national and political affiliations if you criticise Babar and Rizwan.

These people deserve all they are receiving today. This is the price you must pay now for your disingenuous views towards the game!

 

[Bewal Express]

This right here is the Misbah effect. This guy normalised playing well into your 40s. He set a bad precedent.

It's normal for only some players to play up until their late 30s. Reflexes start to go in your mid 30s. Babar is only 3-4 years from that stage. There's no where you can say he's young.

Most batters go into their 30s.Babar will play into his mid 30s but if he doesn't get the runs for PK, he won't be picked

 

[topspin]

Pakistan cricket wants to do everything to market their players because they're desperate to boost their brand value. But their top priority is to win their home series, as it should be.

The problem they will face is that it is only a matter of time when Babar and his lobby will demand for the return of the super flat wickets, so he can score more runs.

It will be interesting to see whether the PCB have the spine to continue with these current pitches or whether they'll succumb to the demands of the Babar lobby and revert to those batting paradise wickets.

 

[Rana]

Pakistan cricket wants to do everything to market their players because they're desperate to boost their brand value. But their top priority is to win their home series, as it should be.

The problem they will face is that it is only a matter of time when Babar and his lobby will demand for the return of the super flat wickets, so he can score more runs.

It will be interesting to see whether the PCB have the spine to continue with these current pitches or whether they'll succumb to the demands of the Babar lobby and revert to those batting paradise wickets.

100% right

As long as Aqib is there, he won’t bow down. This is where the usual backstabbing/snake culture will come in to try and get him removed.

 

[mominsaigol]

Asad Shafiq was better test batsman then him too.

Atm babar is ahead. He has a higher avg and only 3 centuries short of shafiq.

Shafiq is better in aus then Babar while Babar has been better in England.

However he has easily fallen behind azhar ali and will very very soon fall behind asad shafiq if he goes at this rate. I wouldn't be surprised if his avg falls to 38 in 2 years time.

 

[topspin]

100% right

As long as Aqib is there, he won’t bow down. This is where the usual backstabbing/snake culture will come in to try and get him removed.

Aqib is holding it down. I don't get the hate tbh.

 

[DeadlyVenom]

Most batters go into their 30s.Babar will play into his mid 30s but if he doesn't get the runs for PK, he won't be picked

I hope he turns it around but it's unlikely.

Babar has really sunk badly. Great players can go through a slump and then pick it back up in their 30s but he isn't a great player.

How many average to good players go through purple patches in their 30s ? There aren't many who spring to mind.

 

[Bewal Express]

I hope he turns it around but it's unlikely.

Babar has really sunk badly. Great players can go through a slump and then pick it back up in their 30s but he isn't a great player.

How many average to good players go through purple patches in their 30s ? There aren't many who spring to mind.

You maybe right but I for one will pray for him. He needs to open, he looked very comfortable at the top.

 

[Bewal Express]

Imagine crying about people celebrating Babar’s failures,


The people crying now are the same people who used to do everything they can to shift the blame from Babar and Rizwan to all other batters and bowlers. They seem to forget how they also used to go after guys who were telling them 3-4 years ago that Babar and his mate are selfishly destroying Pakistan cricket for their own purposes. The same people who start questioning your religious , national and political affiliations if you criticise Babar and Rizwan.

These people deserve all they are receiving today. This is the price you must pay now for your disingenuous views towards the game!

You celebrate to your hearts content. Afterall, if I suggested the likes of AA and the guy that once scored 40, I too would be bitter and at my god given intelligence

 

[DeadlyVenom]

You maybe right but I for one will pray for him. He needs to open, he looked very comfortable at the top.

He can open and imo should give up on t20s too.

 

[Bewal Express]

He can open and imo should give up on t20s too.

He will open the T20s as long as the management feel that he offers more than his competition. Babar has been lucky that the other guys are just as average and with lower performances. With no WC around the corner, PK should look to try others with Saim

 

[Minnowbasher]

His downfall has been incredible. Much like Virats downfall except Virat was at his peak for much longer than Babar.
Babar Azam was a great player in all 3 formats until around 2022. Last 3 years have been awful for him and these are supposed to be his peak years.

I wouldn't give up on him though. Not comparing but I remember a time when Joe Root was really struggling and even considered not part of fab 4 anymore. He came back and has now become the best test batter in the world.
There is no reason why Babar at 30 can't still become a top batsman. He played well in SA just failed to convert those scores into 100s.

I would personally advocate for him to go back to playing first class cricket for a while, maybe even try some overseas 4 day leagues like county cricket or shield cricket.

It might be worth him taking a break from t20 cricket aswell and only play ODIs + domestic cricket for a short while.
Pakistani cricketers are known to be great when making comebacks.

 

[Minnowbasher]

I hope he turns it around but it's unlikely.

Babar has really sunk badly. Great players can go through a slump and then pick it back up in their 30s but he isn't a great player.

How many average to good players go through purple patches in their 30s ? There aren't many who spring to mind.

Pakistani batsmen are known to only play great in their late 30s.
Look at Hafeez, Malik, Misbah, Younis
These players were mediocre or average in their early 30s as batsmen.
In their late 30s they were lethal players. Hafeez only learnt to his 6s and become a power hitter in 2020.
It's a pitty that only at the twilight of their careers do our players actually peak and show their skills.

 

[Minnowbasher]

My prediction is that Babar will peak in his late 30s. He's too immature right now, doesn't know how to deal with fame.
Pakistani cricketers always take a while to mature. By now you would've thought that Babar would know his game and have worked on his weaknesses when he started playing.
Instead, his power hitting hasn't improved, he can't play spin, he's vulnerable against the ball coming in and can't convert 50s into 100s.

 

[shaz619]

From the media, to so called journalists who actually think they are real pro’s for reporting on a silly sport like cricket, to the fans; they’ve all put Babar on a pedestal and are now paying the price. To quote , ya”ll deserve this humiliation.

 

[Bewal Express]

From the media, to so called journalists who actually think they are real pro’s for reporting on a silly sport like cricket, to the fans; they’ve all put Babar on a pedestal and are now paying the price. To quote , ya”ll deserve this humiliation.

What exactly is this humiliation? Are fans not allowed to have favorites? And when those favorites go through bad patches is it really a humiliation? Or just something that happens

 

[ElRaja]

babar never had the first class record or pedigree to warrant the hopes people had of him in test cricket. there was a time to drop him, but they didnt do it. how are you gonna single him out when no one other than rizwan and saud are making runs on these pitches. these are difficult conditions, and debuting a youngster would be unfair.

if there was an outstanding talent waiting in the wings id agree, but until you can name who deserves to bat three, and might stand a chance in these conditions, id rather just persist with someone who at least showed a small glimpse of returning to form in south Africa, if anything id swap babar and hurraira around.

 

[mominsaigol]

What exactly is this humiliation? Are fans not allowed to have favorites? And when those favorites go through bad patches is it really a humiliation? Or just something that happens

A bat patch is what kohli had against pakistan in 2012. It was only 1 series followed by a poor test series and he was back in form against England the following odi series.

This so called bad patch for Babar is entering year 3.

It started in 2022 where he flunked Asia cup + t20 wc cup, then it got worse and worse where his best performances in 2023 come against c side nz and Nepal in pindi flat tracks and 2024 was a tragedy. 2025 is even worse.

 

[Farabi]

babar never had the first class record or pedigree to warrant the hopes people had of him in test cricket. there was a time to drop him, but they didnt do it. how are you gonna single him out when no one other than rizwan and saud are making runs on these pitches. these are difficult conditions, and debuting a youngster would be unfair.

if there was an outstanding talent waiting in the wings id agree, but until you can name who deserves to bat three, and might stand a chance in these conditions, id rather just persist with someone who at least showed a small glimpse of returning to form in south Africa, if anything id swap babar and hurraira around.

Yup. May I also add our batting goes beyond Babar. Every time batting fails, threads on Babar get bumped up.
It’s common knowledge he isn’t a GOAT test cricketer. But he’s still good enough for this side.
Let’s talk about the rest now shall we…

 

[mominsaigol]

If you compare babar to all format players, he's still massively behind all of them.

1) Virat Kohli: 47 avg in test with 30 test centuries and 9K test runs, 58 avg in odi with 50 odi centuries including multiple wc centuries, stats wise isn't special in t20 with a 137 sr but has been man of the tournament in t20.

2) David Warner: 44 avg in test, with 26 test centuries, an avg away record in test though, 45 avg with a close to 100 sr in odi with 22 centuries and top 1-3 scorers in wc 2015, and wc 2019, probably one of the best t20 players of all time for anyone who has followed his t20 career.

3) Chris Gayle: 42 avg with 15 test centuries not to mention a terrific record in aus, NZ, Sa and while poor still a 36 avg in eng, while a 37 avg in odi but as monster strike rate qith 25 big boi odi centuries, greatest t20 batter of all time.

Then both KP and Travis head are miles > Babar as well


so which all format player is babar better then? In this era, Travis, Rachin, brooks and jaiswal will probably be his ccompetitionand their all gonna be > him .

 

[FearlessRoar]

If Babar Azam wins us this match, then we’ll consider him a star @emranabbas

 

[shaz619]

If Babar Azam wins us this match, then we’ll consider him a star @emranabbas

That should be the expectation, that he takes his side home from here, a personal score is not good enough

 

[FearlessRoar]

Don't know when that day will come when Babar will win us a match

 

[FearlessRoar]

Babar Azam has not been the same player since he was stripped of the captaincy. This is evident in his performance with the bat over the past few years. He departed for 31 just before the stumps on Day 2 of the 2nd Test against the West Indies.

PCB made a significant error by appointing him as the full-time captain. Babar was never suited for the role and it has ultimately affected his batting.

 

[Rana]

He was about to play a too young and too classy innings backed by the Australian system,

But it wasn’t to be unfortunately

 

[mominsaigol]

If Babar Azam wins us this match, then we’ll consider him a star @emranabbas

What do you consider him now?

 

[mominsaigol]

He was about to play a too young and too classy innings backed by the Australian system,

But it wasn’t to be unfortunately

Babar to Ramiz: I'm feeling lonely, now I'm crying in my room.

 

[shaz619]

To quote one of my favourite rivalries HBK/Nash; with friends like Rizwan, who needs enemies ?

Babar had championship potential, but he has reduced himself to a Rizwan level batter.

 

[Rana]

To quote one of my favourite rivalries HBK/Nash; with friends like Rizwan, who needs enemies ?

Babar had championship potential, but he has reduced himself to a Rizwan level batter.

Talented Mr Ripley Rizwan

 

[shaz619]

Talented Mr Ripley Rizwan

It’s not a coincidence surely, that Babar’s decline started with his friendship with Anatar.

 

[Rana]

It’s not a coincidence surely, that Babar’s decline started with his friendship with Anatar.

Babar to Rizwan: What have you done to me??! You have ruined me!

Rizwan: you did this to yourself

 

[FearlessRoar]

Newlyweds were spotted at the Multan Cricket Stadium on Day 2 of the second Test between Pakistan and the West Indies and turned out to be fans of Babar Azam.

 

[mominsaigol]

Newlyweds were spotted at the Multan Cricket Stadium on Day 2 of the second Test between Pakistan and the West Indies and turned out to be fans of Babar Azam.

Babar be causing divorces

 

[FearlessRoar]

Former Pakistan captain Salman Butt has expressed concerns over rumors that Babar Azam might open the innings in the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy 2025. Shared his thoughts on the matter while speaking on his YouTube channel:

“I hope it’s only a rumor, and the selectors are not thinking this way because it’s unfair and, strategically, it can backfire.”

“We used proper openers in the difficult conditions, and now when we are going to play in suitable conditions where batters can score runs, where Pakistan needs a good start from the top and stability in the middle overs."

“Babar Azam can provide that stability [in the middle-order] to last in 50-over cricket.”

“Why are you trying to expose Babar early? Do we even have a backup for him in the middle order? Didn’t we see in the South Africa series how crucial Babar and Rizwan’s partnerships in the middle were?”

“I think we should go with proper openers, and Babar Azam should play at his usual position. That’s where he’s proven to be most effective.”

 

[Cricket Warrior]

This is the time for him to take a back seat and enjoy the game from the gallery rather than making a mess in the middle of the ground.

 

[FearlessRoar]

Shan Masood while addressing the press conference after losing to the West Indies in the 2nd Test:

"Babar Azam's ability is unquestionable, and we saw it in the second innings as well. He was looking set, and if he and Saud Shakeel had batted longer, we could have added more crucial runs."

"In these conditions, it's vital to build partnerships and keep pushing forward. Though we didn’t get a century, we all have a role to play in achieving a challenging total."

 

[Energy]

Shan Masood while addressing the press conference after losing to the West Indies in the 2nd Test:

"Babar Azam's ability is unquestionable, and we saw it in the second innings as well. He was looking set, and if he and Saud Shakeel had batted longer, we could have added more crucial runs."

"In these conditions, it's vital to build partnerships and keep pushing forward. Though we didn’t get a century, we all have a role to play in achieving a challenging total."

He's speaking like a stooge now I'm afraid.

- Babar's ability is unquestionable - factually incorrect as his record suggests he is a poor player of spin.
- If he batted longer - false statement. Should have been termed as 'he had to bat longer as the most experienced batsman and take the game to the opposition'.

 

[Itachi]

Sad to see the decline of our elite batter, but it's time to accept the facts.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1883091440131248242

It just shows that, even though babar did struggle with the form, he's starting to build up the avg again.

At this moment, he needs support from the board, fans and his well wishers who stood by him through thick and thin.

Just a little bit more push and babar will be unstoppable like past again.

 

[mominsaigol]

It just shows that, even though babar did struggle with the form, he's starting to build up the avg again.

At this moment, he needs support from the board, fans and his well wishers who stood by him through thick and thin.

Just a little bit more push and babar will be unstoppable like past again.

He was never unstoppable. That's a huge misconception.

Even in his prime he was an avg test batter and a medicore t20 batsmen. He was and even still is only good in odi since he can consistently score 50+ in the format and even did so vs Sa.

 

[daytrader]

@daytrader still enjoying your weekend .

Genuinely though you claimed and I quote I believe babar will finish off as Pakistan's best batter and atm he's currently playing wait until he retires.

Lets do some test stats

Miandad: 52 avg, 23 test centuries, 124 test games, 61 avg in pak, 77 in Nz, 38 in aus, 46 in eng, 33 in wi, never played in sa, 15 in sri lanka, 49 in India, scored a century in every country except sa, India and sri lanka. Also Bangladesh as he never played in bang.

Inzi: 49 avg, 25 test centuries, 120 test games, 30 avg in aus, 136 in bang, 42 in eng, 54 in india, 59 in NZ, 53 in pak, 31 in sa, 58 in sri lanka, 25 in uae, 57 in wi, 49 in zim, Scored a century in evrry country except sa and uae.

Yousaf: 52 avg, 24 test centuries, 90 test games, 31 avg in aus, 147 in bang, 54 in eng, 33 in india, 55 in NZ, 65 in pak, 26 in sa, 33 in sri lanka, 90 in UAE, 60 in wi, 58 in zimb, scored a century in every country except sa.

And finally YK Pakistan's greatest test batter ever

Yk: 52 Avg, 34 test centuries, 118 test matches 10K + runs, 50 avg in aus, 100 in bang, 50 in eng, 76 in india, 43 in NZ, 59 in pak, 32 in sa, 45 in sri lanka, 55 in uae, 22 in wi, 75 in zimb, scored a century in every country thats he's played in.

^^ YK is the best plain and simple, Won't talk about zaheer as he's a 70's batter.

Now finally you have Babar Azam

Babar: 42 avg, 9 test centuries, 58 test matches played, 25 avg in aus, 49 avg in bang, 65 avg in eng, 36 in Ireland, 47 in NZ, 55 in pak, 41 in sa, 49 in sri lanka, 40 in uae, 36 in wi, 1.00 in zimb lol. Zero centuries in bang, England, Ireland, new Zealand, South Africa, west indies and Zimbabwe.

^^ And he's already 30 will turn 31 this year. So you're telling me that

A) Babar will raise his avg to 50+ again even though he mever reached it once in his test career his peak being 49.

B) Babar will score test centuries in eng, Ireland, new Zealand, Sa, Wi and Zimb to catch up to YK.

C) Will score 10K test runs

D) will surpass YK's 34 test century tally

^^ All in 7 to 9 years to become Pakistan's best ever batter even though his avg has now declined to 42 making him a below azhar ali test batter.

Babar will apprantly reach from azhar ali level to > YK level when he retires all in 7 to 9 years?

@daytrader Is this your actual gut feeling?

@Rana @topspin @emranabbas and @Dr_Bassim + God as my witness

I had a good weekend, thanks. Seems like you had a blast though. Itni khushi Pakistan ke harne pe.

As for the numbers, a key metric is we are not playing tests as often. If Babar gets to play 90+ tests, we'll see where he lands. At the moment though he's not in form but still our best. Maybe Saud is a little bit better in the format but there's not many who can dislodge Babar from the test team on merit.

 

[BouncerGuy]

I dont think there is any defense left for Babar now... This guys needs to be left out of test team now... enough

 

[mominsaigol]

I had a good weekend, thanks. Seems like you had a blast though. Itni khushi Pakistan ke harne pe.

As for the numbers, a key metric is we are not playing tests as often. If Babar gets to play 90+ tests, we'll see where he lands. At the moment though he's not in form but still our best. Maybe Saud is a little bit better in the format but there's not many who can dislodge Babar from the test team on merit.

We played 2 tests vs Bangladesh, 3 vs eng, 2 vs sa, 2 vs wi. That's 9 tests in a very short time frame.

It's just now we aren't due to CT taking priority.

And why 90+ why more then 90? Yousaf played just 90 tests lol. Anyway you didn't answer any of the points I raised.

 

[daytrader]

We played 2 tests vs Bangladesh, 3 vs eng, 2 vs sa, 2 vs wi. That's 9 tests in a very short time frame.

It's just now we aren't due to CT taking priority.

And why 90+ why more then 90? Yousaf played just 90 tests lol. Anyway you didn't answer any of the points I raised.

Yea i mean if you want to compare apples to apples then he should have at least that many tests or at least close to it. Otherwise by your logic Abid Ali with an average of 49 is better than Zaheer Abbas.

Younis Khan - played tests for 17 years
Miandad - played tests for 17 years
Inzamam - played test for 15 years

Babar Azam - so far played tests for 9 years with majority of them not in Pakistan.

And Babar still has a chance to go down as one of the best in the format. He might not average as high as the 4 greats you mentioned or score as many runs but he's going to be playing the next 2 WTC cycles (possibly more) and has a chance to redeem himself. If he has a couple of good years, we can even win the test mace.

 

[mominsaigol]

Yea i mean if you want to compare apples to apples then he should have at least that many tests or at least close to it. Otherwise by your logic Abid Ali with an average of 49 is better than Zaheer Abbas.

Younis Khan - played tests for 17 years
Miandad - played tests for 17 years
Inzamam - played test for 15 years

Babar Azam - so far played tests for 9 years with majority of them not in Pakistan.

And Babar still has a chance to go down as one of the best in the format. He might not average as high as the 4 greats you mentioned or score as many runs but he's going to be playing the next 2 WTC cycles (possibly more) has a chance to redeem himself. If he has a couple of good years, we can even win the test mace.

You said he's the greatest batsmen from Pakistan all time. I asked you if you meant statically or actuality or which format and you claimed he's the best all time in all 3.

^^ Your only option now is to lie and deny you ever made this claim since that's the only card you can logically play because the conversation is old and I may or may not be able to find it now.

Greatest all time means greatest. Their are no buts or ifs.

YK is Pakistan's best ever test batter with 34 test cemturirs, 10K+ runs, an avg of 52 and atleast one century in every country he's played in including sa where he avg 31 + double and triple centuries to his name and many dominant home wins.

YK at age 30 also avg 46 and had 15 test centuries and played exactly the same numbers of tests as Babar did 58. Infact he missed out an entire year after due to injury and returned in 2009 after a gap.

Babar avg lesser at the same age, and lacks overseas test centuries, only has 2 away averages 42 and got dropped from his own home test series.

As I said, you claimed it yet now you're claiming to give it time? And you're claiming that apprantly avg and runs don't matter anymore? Only wtc cycles do?

Why don't averages matter? In test averages in each country determine how good a player is?

For example i can confidently proclaim Steven smith > YK in tests because he averages atleast 40+ in every country he's played in with centuries in each countries and his peak year by year avg is 86 while YK is nowhere close and his best performance 211 in that Ashes 1 wicket win is > any yk performance

^^ That's how you determine who's > Who in test cricket

You can't proclaim Babar is > YK when he's never reached a 50 avg in both fc and international and his away averages especially in aus are a joke. To top it off his best innings in test of all time 196 is in home den and it's a draw not a win.

 

[jnaveen1980]

These pitches are blessing in disguise for Babar. Everybody is likely to fail here. So he will get a pass.

 

[daytrader]

You said he's the greatest batsmen from Pakistan all time. I asked you if you meant statically or actuality or which format and you claimed he's the best all time in all 3.

^^ Your only option now is to lie and deny you ever made this claim since that's the only card you can logically play because the conversation is old and I may or may not be able to find it now.

Greatest all time means greatest. Their are no buts or ifs.

YK is Pakistan's best ever test batter with 34 test cemturirs, 10K+ runs, an avg of 52 and atleast one century in every country he's played in including sa where he avg 31 + double and triple centuries to his name and many dominant home wins.

YK at age 30 also avg 46 and had 15 test centuries and played exactly the same numbers of tests as Babar did 58. Infact he missed out an entire year after due to injury and returned in 2009 after a gap.

Babar avg lesser at the same age, and lacks overseas test centuries, only has 2 away averages 42 and got dropped from his own home test series.

As I said, you claimed it yet now you're claiming to give it time? And you're claiming that apprantly avg and runs don't matter anymore? Only wtc cycles do?

Why don't averages matter? In test averages in each country determine how good a player is?

For example i can confidently proclaim Steven smith > YK in tests because he averages atleast 40+ in every country he's played in with centuries in each countries and his peak year by year avg is 86 while YK is nowhere close and his best performance 211 in that Ashes 1 wicket win is > any yk performance

^^ That's how you determine who's > Who in test cricket

You can't proclaim Babar is > YK when he's never reached a 50 avg in both fc and international and his away averages especially in aus are a joke. To top it off his best innings in test of all time 196 is in home den and it's a draw not a win.

So you're entire point of the 2 essays you wrote is to prove that I'm lying? Like seriously how petty can you be? I understand though, I've exposed your lies multiple times now so you just want to get back. No problem, but you're clutching at straws and really need to up your game. Word salads aren't helping.

IMO Babar will be our best all format batter when he hangs up his boots. If he wins us a WTC he will be a greater batter than many of our legends in tests. This line of reasoning is same to you claiming Sarfraz is better than Rizwan cause he won us an ICC tournament.

Again though, it's my opinion. Doesn't make it a lie

 

[daytrader]

Babar's form is at an all time low so his criticism is at an all time high. I hope the haters are around to compliment when he gets back into form