Babar Azam’s Form Criticized: Zaheer Abbas Suggests Ego or Shyness to Blame
Former Pakistan captain Zaheer Abbas has expressed serious concerns about Babar Azam’s ongoing poor form, suggesting that either ego or shyness may be preventing him from seeking help from senior players.
Lack of Guidance from Seniors
- According to Abbas, Babar Azam might be avoiding advice from former cricketers who could help him regain form.
- He stated, “Either Babar has an ego issue or is too shy to seek advice from his seniors.”
- Abbas highlighted how, in the past, senior players benefited from sharing knowledge and seeking support.
Historical Examples of Seeking Advice
- Younis Khan reached out to Mohammad Azharuddin in 2016 and later scored a double hundred in England.
- Azharuddin himself had once consulted Abbas during India’s tour of Pakistan in 1989-90.
- Saeed Anwar reportedly took advice from Sunil Gavaskar, which positively impacted his performance.
Technical Flaws Identified
- Abbas observed that Babar’s current batting stance is more closed compared to his earlier, more open approach.
- This change gives him less time to adjust to the ball, leading to mistimed shots and early dismissals.
“He is struggling to time his shots and is getting out early,” Abbas explained.
Poor Form in Domestic League
- Babar’s struggles are not limited to international cricket.
- In the Pakistan Super League (PSL), he scored just 1 and 0 in his last two appearances for Peshawar Zalmi.
Additional Criticism from Shoaib Akhtar
- Shoaib Akhtar also harshly criticized Babar, calling him a “fraud” during the Champions Trophy.
- He compared Babar unfavorably to Virat Kohli, who follows in the footsteps of Sachin Tendulkar, a legend with 100 international centuries
