Pakistan’s former all-format captain Babar Azam has opened up about his recent dip in form, addressing concerns candidly during a podcast appearance on Zalmi TV.
The 30-year-old, who has endured a torrid time with the bat in recent years, admitted the criticism during his lean patch stings but insisted he has never lost belief in himself.
“(translated from Urdu) It is not the first time I have gone through this. But this time it has gone on for too long. These things happen to everyone. I am trying to take things back to normal, but to do that I have to keep believing in myself,” he said while answering a question about his form.
He went on to explain what he is doing to improve things. “You have to keep things simple and keep the practices normal. Because a lot is going on here and your mind can wander. People often advise you as well, and that can turn your head, but in that time if you can keep things simple, it will be better for you,” he added.
“If you try to do something extra, it doesn’t work out well for you. Talk to whatever coach you are comfortable with and that will help things,” he concluded.
The past few years have been difficult for Babar Azam both as a batter and a former captain. While his ODI numbers have remained steady, his T20 and Test performances have dipped, prompting scrutiny from pundits and fans alike. His strike rate in T20Is has become a national talking point, with questions raised about his place in the format’s evolving demands.
Currently leading Peshawar Zalmi in PSL X, Babar Azam has shown glimpses of his vintage form but has failed to find consistency once again. As Pakistan heads towards a new era under Mike Hesson, Babar Azam’s importance to the team has become even more critical. The quicker he can recover from this dip, the better it will be for Pakistan cricket.