Herschelle Gibbs Points Out Babar Azam’s Flaw

Former South African cricketer Herschelle Gibbs has sparked debate over Babar Azam’s English-speaking skills, suggesting that language differences have made it challenging to effectively communicate coaching advice to the former Pakistan captain. The discussion erupted during his interaction with fans following Pakistan’s thrilling win over his home nation.

The episode began when a fan on Twitter recalled Herschelle Gibbs’ previous coaching stint with the Karachi Kings in the PSL (2021‑22) and asked whether he would offer Babar Azam any tactical suggestions after the batsman failed to contribute significantly during Pakistan’s chase of a mammoth total. In response, Gibbs stated bluntly:

“Language is an issue with Babar… as you know, his English isn’t great, so it’s difficult to get points across to him.”

After facing criticism over his remarks, Gibbs attempted to clarify his point. He continued, explaining that despite his repeated advice, Babar has not introduced any new dimensions to his game that might help address his struggles. Reflecting on his initial experience with the batsman, Gibbs said, “It was the first time I was working with him, so for me it was more of an observation than anything else. What I’ve seen since then is that he hasn’t changed his approach and still plays with the same tempo and same shots.”

While Babar Azam’s English skills have been scrutinized, this marks the first time a capped international cricketer has attributed his batting difficulties to language issues. Gibbs’ comments have reignited discussions about the impact of everyday occurrences on an athlete. As Pakistan prepares for upcoming assignments, the focus remains firmly on Babar Azam’s on-field performance rather than his linguistic abilities.