Zaheer Abbas Calls for Babar Azam to Be Dropped Amid Continued Poor Performance
Legendary former cricketer Zaheer Abbas has called for Babar Azam’s removal from the Pakistan cricket team following a series of disappointing performances, particularly in the recent Test series against Bangladesh. Babar, once considered Pakistan’s premier batsman, is under fire from both fans and former players for his inability to deliver in crucial moments.
During the 100th episode of an international cricket talk show, Zaheer Abbas openly criticized Babar Azam’s form, stating,
“Babar Azam should be dropped from the team if he continues to struggle with his form. He is an important player for us, but if he’s not scoring runs, he should be removed until he regains his touch.”
Zaheer Abbas, often referred to as the “Asian Bradman,” went further by dismissing comparisons between Babar Azam and Indian cricket icon Virat Kohli. He remarked,
“It makes no sense to compare Virat and Babar. Virat consistently scores in almost every match, whereas Babar has been struggling to do so. You can’t compare the two players on such different levels of performance.”
These remarks came after Babar’s poor showing in the Test series against Bangladesh, where he managed scores of 0, 22, 11, and 31 across four innings. His continued struggles have also seen him drop out of the top 10 ICC Test batsmen rankings, a position he has held for several years.
Babar’s Struggles Continue in the Bangladesh Series
In the second Test match against Bangladesh, Babar Azam’s performance was once again below par. He played 77 balls in the first innings and was dismissed for 31 by Bangladesh spinner Shakib Al Hasan. Despite starting cautiously, Babar could not convert his start into a significant score, extending his run of innings without a fifty to 15.
Pakistan’s overall performance mirrored Babar’s struggles. The team lost the first Test match by 10 wickets, marking their first-ever Test defeat to Bangladesh. In the second Test, Pakistan had Bangladesh in trouble at 26/6, but a heroic partnership between Litton Das and Mehidy Hasan Miraz helped the Tigers regain control, leading to another painful defeat for Pakistan.
Babar’s run of poor form stretches beyond this series. He has not scored a century since December 2022 and has failed to make any significant contributions with the bat in 16 consecutive Test innings. His dip in form comes at a critical time for Pakistan cricket, as the team faces leadership changes and a series of disappointing results, particularly after the 2023 ODI World Cup.
Babar Azam’s recent performances in Test cricket have been challenging, with scores of:
22, 0, 23, 26, 41, 1, 14, 21, 39, 24, 13, 27, 24, and 14.
Pressure Mounts Amid Calls for a Break
Many cricket experts and analysts have suggested that Babar should take a break from the game, reset, and return in better form. However, the star batsman has not shown any interest in stepping away from the team. With the Champions Trophy set to be hosted in Pakistan within the next six months, the pressure is on Babar to rediscover his form and lead Pakistan to success.
Despite these struggles, some within the cricket community, including all-rounder Salman Agha, have defended Babar, reminding critics of his exceptional run of form over the last five years. However, this defense is wearing thin, with each failure piling up more pressure on the senior batsman.
Also Read:Pakistan v England 2024:Training Schedule and Media Access
Steep Fall in ICC Rankings
Babar Azam’s recent failures have been reflected in his steep decline in the ICC Test rankings. Having once occupied the third position, Babar has now dropped six places to ninth, his lowest ranking in years. This slip has allowed teammate Mohammad Rizwan, who scored a century against Bangladesh, to move into the top 10 Test batsmen rankings.
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman, Mohsin Naqvi, has also commented on the situation, stating that Pakistan lacks enough high-quality players to provide competition or replacements for struggling stars like Babar Azam. This statement underscores the broader challenges facing Pakistan cricket as they navigate this difficult period.
Looking Ahead
With several key tournaments approaching, including the Champions Trophy, Pakistan will be hoping that Babar Azam can return to form and help guide the team back to winning ways. However, if his struggles continue, calls for him to be dropped from the team may grow louder, and the star batsman may have to face an uncomfortable reality.
For now, all eyes remain on Babar Azam, and whether the star player can turn things around in the months to come.
Pakistan is set to face its next Test challenge against England in the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) 2023-25. The first Test will take place in Multan from October 7 to 11.
Pakistan Squad for the First Test Against England:
Shan Masood (Captain)
Saud Shakeel (Vice-Captain)
Aamir Jamal
Abdullah Shafique
Abrar Ahmed
Babar Azam
Mir Hamza
Mohammad Huraira
Mohammad Rizwan (Wicketkeeper)
Naseem Shah
Noman Ali
Saim Ayub
Salman Ali Agha
Sarfaraz Ahmed (Wicketkeeper)
Shaheen Shah Afridi
Zahid Mehmood
Schedule for the Pakistan-England Test Series:
First Test: October 7-11, Multan
Second Test: October 15-19, Multan
Third Test: October 24-28, Rawalpindi
