Babar Azam Breaks Silence on Criticism From Former Players

In a candid appearance on Zalmi TV’s latest podcast, Peshawar Zalmi captain Babar Azam offered rare insight into how criticism from former players continues to affect him on the field.

Once touted as Pakistan cricket’s most infallible asset, Babar has faced increasing scrutiny in recent years concerning almost every aspect of his game, particularly his strike rate in T20Is and his leadership approach when he led the team. Much of that criticism has come from ex-internationals turned pundits, often dissecting his performances in the public eye.

But the former Pakistan captain, who remains one of the most consistent batters across formats, admitted he’s grown to handle the noise differently.

“When someone does that (criticizes me) on my cricket, I pay attention to it. But when you are attacked on a personal level, that sticks out because it has nothing to do with cricket,” he said on the matter.

“Sometimes when I hear these things, I want to reply, but I have learned that everything has to be done on time. I don’t like replying to critics because everyone has their respect. I don’t have to prove anything to anyone,” Babar Azam added about the former players.

This conversation comes at a pivotal time in Babar’s career. Though he remains among the top run-getters in cricket and a central figure in Pakistan’s white-ball setup, his position has been debated more than ever, especially with younger, more aggressive players knocking on the door.

But for Babar, the solution lies in staying true to his craft. With a T20 World Cup approaching and a new coaching setup in place, Babar’s maturity and mental resilience may prove just as valuable as his runs for a team in transition.

In an age where everyone has access to media to voice their opinion, Babar Azam seems largely unbothered by what is being said about him.