KARACHI: Babar Azam, who resigned as captain of Pakistan after the team’s miserable performance in the World Cup and Asia Cup, was able to maintain a low profile.
The right-handed hitter failed to live up to the hype during Pakistan’s December–January three-match Test series against Australia. In the five-match Twenty20 International series played on away ground against New Zealand, he was forced from his preferred opening spot to the one-down position.
The 29-year-old scored three half-centuries in the matches against the BlackCaps despite the change, but his efforts were insufficient to prevent Pakistan from losing 4-1.
After a prolonged period of success, Babar faced increasing difficulties, making it seem as though he was waiting for the HBL Pakistan Super League to begin to make a comeback.
And he’s done it brilliantly. With 498 runs at an average of more than 62, Babar is presently the tournament’s top run scorer despite only being an opener.
Because of the defense restrictions during the powerplay, Babar has previously come under fire for his strikeout percentage when batting in a position when runs come easily.
Babar has improved his ability to hit the ball for boundaries more frequently in order to counter that, scoring at a strike-rate of about 149.
He has guided Peshawar Zalmi to the PSL Qualifier as captain and has demonstrated an excellent sense of moment with his varied batting styles, going after bowlers to accelerate in the final stages of the game and sitting back when wickets are tumbling on the other.
Is this all some type of atonement for him? After Zalmi defeated Karachi Kings here at the National Bank Stadium on Monday, he told reporters, “[Whatever happened in the past] has put no pressure whatsoever on me.”
Babar continued by saying he never liked to bat for Pakistan in the New Zealand series at one down.
“I was never content with playing at one-down; it was the team’s requirement. I did it, though, for Pakistan.
Babar seemed to be mocking former Pakistan team director Mohammad Hafeez, who asked him to give up his preferred opening position, with both his on-field and off-field remarks.
In the New Zealand series, Hafeez also took on a few of players with less experience.
Babar expressed his support for giving talented young people the chance to play for Pakistan, but he felt that instead of rushing them, they should be ready to contribute at that point.
“I think that before a player can join the Pakistan team, they should first be identified, sent to the academies, and then developed by the coaches,” Babar stated.”
Even though it’s a different story for exceptionally talented athletes, they can advance quickly to the national team.
Saim Ayub, Barbar’s initial partner at Zalmi, has been one of these players. The left-hander made his Pakistani debut in March-April of last year, following his PSL breakout as a superb ball-striker.
But earlier this year in New Zealand, Saim was the one who took Babar’s place as Pakistan’s opener.
This year, the two players have become major draw in the PSL box office, and Babar expressed his pleasure at batting alongside Saim.
The Zalmi captain remarked, “He can attack the ball fairly well and it’s always nice to have him on the other end.” “Saim lets me have a little break while he chases the bowlers.”
Saim’s ability to exert influence with the ball has also been demonstrated; he can bowl off-spin and change things up with peculiar deliveries that travel the opposite way.
“I think we have a golden arm and an all-around player on our hands.”
