Former Pakistan cricketer Azhar Mahmood has revealed that Babar Azam was deeply affected by criticism after being dropped from the national Test side in 2024.
Babar Azam was left out of Pakistan’s squad for the final two Tests of the home series against England in October 2024 following a prolonged lean run of form. His performances had come under heavy criticism from former cricketers and social media commentators.
Mahmood, who was serving as Pakistan’s all-formats assistant coach at the time, said he spent around five months with Babar during the period he was out of the team. The two regularly played golf while waiting for Pakistan’s next assignment.
“He was really down because of the way he’s been treated in Pakistan by the ex-players or social media pundits,” Mahmood said.
What happened
“Because we have only one guy who is a superstar and we are pulling him down all the time,” he added.
Mahmood, whose coaching stint with Pakistan ended in December last year, admitted that Babar still has areas of his game that need improvement but stated that should not take away from his standing as one of the country’s leading players.
“Yes, he has to improve. He has certain things to improve. Everyone does that,” he said.
The details
“And I think now he’s matured. When he’s captain, he thinks, you know, like he’s got more power. He’s got more confidence,” Mahmood stated.
“He has to lead from the front. So when he’s captain, you know, like you can see those type of things coming up from him,” he added.
Mahmood further suggested that Babar’s confidence can drop when he is not leading the side, claiming that the batter sometimes retreats into his shell.
“If he’s not captain, nobody gives him respect. It he deserves. And sometimes he goes into his shell,” he said.
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