Ex-Pak star claims team management has ruined Babar’s confidence

Ex-Pak star claims team management has ruined Babar’s confidence

Pakistan’s decision to move Babar Azam up the batting order to open has sparked controversy and criticism, especially from former wicketkeeper-batter Kamran Akmal. Akmal strongly opposes the tactical move, expressing concerns about the impact on Babar’s confidence and the disruption it causes to the team’s overall combination.

### Why Babar Azam is Opening for Pakistan
In the first match of the ongoing ODI tri-series against New Zealand, Pakistan had to make adjustments to their batting order due to Saim Ayub’s absence. This led to Babar Azam stepping in as an opener alongside Fakhar Zaman. However, the star batter faced challenges, scoring only 10 runs off 23 balls before getting dismissed.

### Kamran Akmal’s Criticism
Akmal voiced his worries about Babar’s form and the consequences of the management’s decision. He believes that making Babar open is unsettling for the batter, especially when he is already struggling to find consistency. On his YouTube channel, Akmal stated, “You are making Babar open. With this decision, the team combination is ruined, and so is Babar’s confidence.”

### Babar Azam’s Recent Performance
Babar Azam’s form has been on a downward trend since his return from South Africa. Although he scored three consecutive half-centuries in the Test series there, his struggles began during the series against the West Indies in Multan. He found it difficult to make an impact on spin-friendly pitches, recording low scores such as 8, 5, 1, and 31. His last century dates back to August 2023 against Nepal, and since then, he has been unable to produce significant innings.

As the Champions Trophy approaches, scheduled to begin on February 19, Babar will be under pressure to regain his form and performance. However, with the mounting scrutiny and criticism surrounding his recent performances, it remains uncertain whether Pakistan’s management will persist with him as an opener. Babar’s fans and critics alike will be watching closely to see how he responds to the challenges he is currently facing.

By moving Babar Azam to the opening position, Pakistan is taking a bold and risky step. Only time will tell if this decision will pay off or if it will further impact Babar’s confidence and performance. Stay tuned for more updates on Babar Azam’s journey as Pakistan’s opener in the upcoming matches.

Latest News