Babar Azam needs One Good Innings To Get Back in Form

RAWALPINDI (RNN TV) — Peshawar Zalmi’s spin bowling coach, Mushtaq Ahmed, is confident that Babar Azam is just one solid innings away from regaining his form and confidence.

In a recent media interaction, Mushtaq expressed his support for the star batter, stating, “Thirty or forty runs don’t mean much for Babar. He needs a big knock to get back on track.”

Commenting on Babar’s recent dip in form and the impact of losing the national captaincy, Mushtaq pointed out that the changes in leadership and poor communication had mentally affected the batter. Over the past year and a half, Babar has faced challenges, including being stripped of the captaincy, dropped from the T20I squad, and rested for Test matches.

“He was under pressure, and the lack of support during his tough phase didn’t help,” Mushtaq added.

Mushtaq, speaking to the media, expressed his belief that Babar Azam is just one big performance away from bouncing back. “Thirty or forty runs don’t mean much for Babar. What he needs is a big knock,” he said.

Reflecting on Babar’s recent struggles and the impact of losing the national captaincy, Mushtaq explained that the changes and lack of clear communication had mentally affected the star batter. Over the past year and a half, Babar had been stripped of the captaincy, dropped from the T20I squad, and rested in Test matches, all of which added to the pressure he was under. “The lack of support during this difficult phase didn’t help him,” Mushtaq noted.

Mushtaq emphasized that Peshawar Zalmi was fully backing Babar, which he believes could play a crucial role in helping him recover. “Babar has given five years of consistent performance. Ups and downs are part of a cricketer’s journey. Bad performances will only make him stronger,” the former cricketer stated.

On Zalmi’s strategy for the ongoing T20 campaign, Mushtaq stressed the importance of dominating the powerplay and adapting the playing XI to suit match conditions. “If we play well in the powerplay, we can beat any team,” he said. He also suggested that both left-arm spinners might be included in the lineup depending on the pitch conditions.

Praising the role of spinners in the recent Pakistan Super League (PSL) X matches, Mushtaq noted that spinners could be game-changers, even if they concede a few sixes. “If a spinner is taking wickets, even with the sixes, he’s doing his job,” he said.

However, he expressed concern over the declining standards of bowling in Pakistan, attributing the issue to a lack of quality practice sessions. “While batters have improved in international cricket, bowlers haven’t kept up,” he concluded.

Peshawar Zalmi, led by Babar Azam, is set to face Multan Sultans in a PSL match today in Rawalpindi. Neither team has won a match yet in the ongoing season of the country’s premier cricket league.

Source: Sports Desk