Babar Azam's problem with power hitting

[RedwoodOriginal]

Amazing only Pakistani fans cry when a batsman is scoring mountains of runs in all formats and that too at a good strike rate, effortlessly and with fluency, in dreamlike fashion. His scoring rate is perfect. We do not deserve him. Lol@Mamoon calling him accumulator, he needs to look up description. He needs to understand what accumulator is in cricket.

I don't understand how the fans of such a mediocre team can be so critical of one of the few guys that's actually performing on a world-class level. In almost every way. Like where does this attitude come from lol?

[iiqbal]

Keyboard cricketer experts don't know that you can make run or accelerate run rate in Partnership. If from other end player are getting out. So called expert want babar azam to take chance. Today it prove that if other end player is playing well, Baber can hit four and sixes on will.

[Bilal7]

It's an obvious deficiency in his arsenal. If he wants to win games he needs to learn how to do that. It's match and situation dependent. I don't want to learn the hardway in a world cup final and a RRR of 13+ in 6 overs that he can't hit the ball

It is not a defiency. It is certainly not his strength but someone who cannot hit the ball would not be among the top-5 T20 batsmen in the world and consistently play good knocks in the PSL.

He's winning games for Pakistan by doing what he's doing. There are 6 other batsmen in the team. Why do you want Azam to do everything?

[Zaz]

Hes a top top player and pakistan are very fortunate to have him Hope he continues in this vain And continues to become better and better

I for one wont criticise him Hes their most valuable player in a long long time One of the very best in the world

Its time others stepped up and helped him out

[Cryin Out Loud]

Like any world class batsman, Azam can go when he needs to. However, he's just too cultured of a batsman to outslog power-hitters. ..............

Now I've heard it all. He's too high class to hit the ball hard?

[The_KING]

Posters need to complain about something. Two months ago it was Babar cannot play spinners just because he was little rusty against SA at home, coming back from injury. Now he dealt with Shamshi and Maharaj they need to bring back but he does not hit 6s like Kohli. Lol. As if Kohli is the only batsman that matters. Look at the ranking and Babar is no 1 and he has now played two match winning innings in this series.

Some of our fans are ungrateful. They complain and say that there is no talent in Pakistan, but when there is a talented player in the team performing consistently, they still complain. Some people just love to be negative all the time.

[Zaz]

Now I've heard it all. He's too high class to hit the ball hard?

Too high class to slog Yes he can hit the ball hard but hes never gonna be a power hitter Thats not his game Hes a proper batsman

[BigShak]

Joe Root is overrated.

Bet you if he played the recent ODI series in India, England would have walked it.

[TheNightWatchman]

Nobody said he's not talented or not one of the best in the world right now!!! Man you guys are insecure. It's just a chink in his arsenal which I happened to notice and wanted to discuss. It's a topic of discussion and I'm sure over the course of his career it might come up more once he plays in more high stakes and pressure situations which require him to hit the ball out the park. What then?

[Bewal Express]

Now I've heard it all. He's too high class to hit the ball hard?

With an average of 55, he isnt doing badly. Just imagine what he could do if he could hit the ball hard.

[TheNightWatchman]

Also while he's improved his game against spin it's pretty obvious it's one of his weaker elements. Theres a reason SA bowled out their spinners. It was a very very obvious ploy specifically against Babar to contain him.

[Bilal7]

Now I've heard it all. He's too high class to hit the ball hard?

If you've never heard this before, you're new to this sport.

Afridi could out-slog the likes of Sachin, Kohli, Amla, Inzamam, etc because his game was built around power-hitting. That was his strength. Azam is not a power-hitter, he is a top order batsman who bats long

[Bilal7]

Also while he's improved his game against spin it's pretty obvious it's one of his weaker elements. Theres a reason SA bowled out their spinners. It was a very very obvious ploy specifically against Babar to contain him.

Markram opened the bowling to contain Babar, Pakistan's #3, to the dressing room...

Making a lot of sense here, bud.

[TheNightWatchman]

It is not a defiency. It is certainly not his strength but someone who cannot hit the ball would not be among the top-5 T20 batsmen in the world and consistently play good knocks in the PSL.

He's winning games for Pakistan by doing what he's doing. There are 6 other batsmen in the team. Why do you want Azam to do everything?

You're not understanding me. He can score with strokeplay and running between wickets yes and at a good consistent SR but I don't think he has the ability to shift gears if for example a higher than his average SR is required of him depending on the match situation . Thats all I'm saying

[TheNightWatchman]

Markram opened the bowling to contain Babar, Pakistan's #3, to the dressing room...

Making a lot of sense here, bud.

They know Fakhar isn't great against spin but they also know babar isn't either which is why they kept going through the overs after Fakhar got out. And it worked babar was mishitting so many shots against the spin. It was obvious "bud". Luckily the pacer got back on for the last over for Babar to get some runs against.

[smkk]

People criticising him are either naive or stupid or both. At around 250 odd when batsmen at the other end were falling like nine pins, if he had tried to up the rate, pakistan may have been all out for around 260. He is the captain and had to ensure he holds one end up. Some people just keep on chanting kohli and rohit like parrots... those guys have a formidable support cast whereas Babar doesn’t... give Babar the same cushion, and he has a chance to outbat all others.... but I said earlier, all ifs and buts, right now is the time to celebrate his number one ranking.... hey surprise ...that makes him a better batter than any other batter in odis

This...
This was a brilliant captain's knock. He was cruising towards his century when he was playing with Fakhar.
But when middle order collapsed, he forgo his century and concentrated on keep one side intact. He only started to attack when the pressure from opposite end ceased, in this one innings he not only showed his responsibility as a captain, but also showed how complete he is in terms of batmanship.

[Cryin Out Loud]

If you've never heard this before, you're new to this sport.

Afridi could out-slog the likes of Sachin, Kohli, Amla, Inzamam, etc because his game was built around power-hitting. That was his strength. Azam is not a power-hitter, he is a top order batsman who bats long

There's a difference between a slogger and being able to consistently hit the ball hard.

Afridi was a slogger. Viv Richards and the WI batsmen of his time - Lloyd, Greenidge, etc- could hit the ball hard. But they were superb bats.

Azam is an excellent batsman, but you don't have to denigrate other skills to big him up. He stands on his own.

And as for his shortcomings- every batsman in the world has them, what's the big deal?

[Bilal7]

You're not understanding me. He can score with strokeplay and running between wickets yes and at a good consistent SR but I don't think he has the ability to shift gears if for example a higher than his average SR is required of him depending on the match situation . Thats all I'm saying

Which average SR? The ~90 SR that he averages in ODI or the ~130 SR he averages in T20s?

Everyone knows he cannot score a 30-ball hundred. He can score at upwards of a 150 SR, which he has shown in the past.

[Bilal7]

They know Fakhar isn't great against spin but they also know babar isn't either which is why they kept going through the overs after Fakhar got out. And it worked babar was mishitting so many shots against the spin. It was obvious "bud". Luckily the pacer got back on for the last over for Babar to get some runs against.

Yes, because the #1 priority when wickets are tumbling at the other end is to hit some sixes. Sure thing, bud. Makes complete sense.

[TheNightWatchman]

Which average SR? The ~90 SR that he averages in ODI or the ~130 SR he averages in T20s?

Everyone knows he cannot score a 30-ball hundred. He can score at upwards of a 150 SR, which he has shown in the past.

When has he shown in the past that he can up the ante when it is required of him.

[Bilal7]

There's a difference between a slogger and being able to consistently hit the ball hard.

Afridi was a slogger. Viv Richards and the WI batsmen of his time - Lloyd, Greenidge, etc- could hit the ball hard. But they were superb bats.

Azam is an excellent batsman, but you don't have to denigrate other skills to big him up. He stands on his own.

And as for his shortcomings- every batsman in the world has them, what's the big deal?

TIL Babar Azam is no Viv Richards or AB de Villiers.

[TheNightWatchman]

Yes, because the #1 priority when wickets are tumbling at the other end is to hit some sixes. Sure thing, bud. Makes complete sense.

No but when there's 5 over left and you still unable to hit until the pacer gets back on that a problem bud

[Bilal7]

When has he shown in the past that he can up the ante when it is required of him.

Go watch the PSL.

[TheNightWatchman]

Go watch the PSL.

Do you understand the quality and pressure difference between PSL and international cricket

[Bilal7]

No but when there's 5 over left and you still unable to hit until the pacer gets back on that a problem bud

Azam hit a glorious six off Markram. He was quite capable of hit some sixes. Pakistan scored 320. Get over it.

[Bilal7]

Do you understand the quality and pressure difference between PSL and international cricket

Okay, so now the goal-posts have shifted from 'Babar cannot hit' to 'Babar cannot hit under pressure'. Next you'll inquire if he can do it on a Friday while jumping up and down.

I'll end by reiterating myself: Power hitting is not Babar's strength but it is no weakness either. He is no Pollard but he isn't Fawad Alam.

[TheNightWatchman]

Azam hit a glorious six off Markram. He was quite capable of hit some sixes. Pakistan scored 320. Get over it.

And Hasan Ali the bowler who wasnt set hit 4 in one over. Babar once set should have started accelerating even before the Fakhar wicket

[TheNightWatchman]

Okay, so now the goal-posts have shifted from 'Babar cannot hit' to 'Babar cannot hit under pressure'. Next you'll inquire if he can do it on a Friday while jumping up and down.

I'll end by reiterating myself: Power hitting is not Babar's strength but it is no weakness either. He is no Pollard but he isn't Fawad Alam.

Babar doesn't need to hit, unless its underpressure but when the underpressure situation comes then what? You still dont uinderstand my point

[Bilal7]

And Hasan Ali the bowler who wasnt set hit 4 in one over. Babar once set should have started accelerating even before the Fakhar wicket

Alhamdulillah he is an intelligent cricketer and did not have these suicidal thoughts. I shudder to think what would have happened had Babar got out before Fakhar today.

[Bilal7]

Babar doesn't need to hit, unless its underpressure but when the underpressure situation comes then what? You still dont uinderstand my point

I think he'll manage well enough. Stop stressing.

[TheNightWatchman]

I think he'll manage well enough. Stop stressing.

He failed today. It was a very start stop innings. He was frustruated in the middle when he couldn't get some of the balls away and you could see it.

[shaz619]

In Pak batting line there are probably like 1-2 players who can really go, Babar doesn’t have the freedom and luxury to slog as much as folk would like because he needs to hold the innings together, due to Babar’s batting IQ he takes risks having maximised his stay at the crease, I think his ability to accelerate is under rated. Babar realises it is better to be something like 100 off 90 then 35 off 12, he needs to Bat till the very end and it helps the team. In England’s line up, majority of the players can have a real go from ball one, there’s not as much pressure because everyone can strike the ball. I find it surprising Pakistan fans have not grasped this, I think they are being a bit too greedy with Babar.

[PakPremi]

Also while he's improved his game against spin it's pretty obvious it's one of his weaker elements. Theres a reason SA bowled out their spinners. It was a very very obvious ploy specifically against Babar to contain him.

Spinners were bowling effectively before he started to bat, and since they were going for less runs than pacers against all batsmen, they continued to bowl them. Kohli also has been struggling against spinners in recent times, Adil and Moen getting him. Babar has scored lots of runs against spinners World over.

[Zaz]

In Pak batting line there are probably like 1-2 players who can really go, Babar doesn’t have the freedom and luxury to slog as much as folk would like because he needs to hold the innings together, due to Babar’s batting IQ he takes risks having maximised his stay at the crease, I think his ability to accelerate is under rated. Babar realises it is better to be something like 100 off 90 then 35 off 12, he needs to Bat till the very end and it helps the team. In England’s line up, majority of the players can have a real go from ball one, there’s not as much pressure because everyone can strike the ball. I find it surprising Pakistan fans have not grasped this, I think they are being a bit too greedy with Babar.

He doesnt have the luxury england and india have that others will step up if he gets out

In todays situation he couldnt rely on anyone to hold an end whilst he took a few risks and accelerated

If he got out it wouldve been disastrous for pakistan and they wouldnt have made 300

If pakistan had one or two decent batters in the middle order im sure hed have scored 10-15 runs more this innings

Yes hes no power hitter But with a bit of support there no reason why he cant go from 50 off 50 to 90 off 75 He has all the shots in the book to do this

[Saj]

Can't argue with 94 off 82 balls today especially with wickets falling all around him.

7 fours and 3 sixes too.

[PakPremi]

Babar doesn't need to hit, unless its underpressure but when the underpressure situation comes then what? You still dont uinderstand my point

This is why India have likes of Pant and Pandya. Its not Kohli doing all the big hitting at the end. Today Pak had Hasan Ali to help a bit although he came late. Babar is not Kohli so live with it but he is neck to neck in terms of consistency of scoring runs. Reember our batsmen do not play IPL where they face presurre situation every day against world top bowlers.

[UzmanBeast]

With regards to the modern game, power hitting is a must, and I completely agree with that. However, in his international career so far, Babar hasn't shown development in his hitting ability, so the real question is whether or not he can actually improve this aspect.

We saw him bat at a higher strike rate this series, but that's because he improved his ability to dispatch mediocre deliveries to the fence. We didn't see explosive batting from Babar in the series.

There is the counterargument, which is also well supported, that Babar alone can't do everything for the team. I suppose it has to do with consistency as well, because if a batsman does not feel as though he can be consistent batting in a certain manner, then it's advisable that they don't. The real question is whether or not Babar has credible evidence that he's not consistent in hitting the ball. If he's never tried it, or never batted outside his comfort zone, then I'm afraid he needs to work on this. If he has tried to, in the nets or in practice games, and if it doesn't work out the way he wants, then I'd say let him bat the way he does.

With that being said, my two cents on the matter are that given Fakhar's inconsistency, Babar's playstyle is perfect for the team because he can step in and provide stability along with Imam. The times where his playstyle is not good for Pakistan's batting is when Fakhar and Imam have already set up the platform, and the need of the hour is acceleration. That's where the argument for his improved strike rate will usually come from. In the first ODI, not many people if any criticized the hundred because Fakhar had been dismissed cheaply. Now when Fakhar and Imam set up the platform, there was due criticism with his inability to accelerate the innings.

When I watch Kohli hit sixes and fours, it's almost always intentional and exquisite, genuinely a treat to watch. If Babar wants to improve his strike rate, he either needs to play fewer dot deliveries or increase the number of boundaries he hits in a game. If it's regarding dot ball percentage, he will need to utilize the crease more in my opinion, and perhaps expose more gaps in the field than he does. If it's more boundaries, a shot I see him play but with not much success is the back-foot pull shot. In modern cricket, that shot is a must, and I usually see Babar failing to connect with or not putting enough power in the shot. He needs to improve his execution of this stroke because it's quite a good shot to dispatch bowlers who tend to use the short ball. Another shot he can possibly develop is an aerial flick to the leg side, to get it over the infield when required.

But one thing everyone needs to understand is that Kohli, when he plays the knocks that he does, it's because he knows there are reliable batsman coming in after him. Babar, with the performances of the middle order, has no trust in the people who come to bat after him, so staying at the crease risk-free is his goal at the moment, and it's not a bad decision in my opinion. We have high expectations from him, but I think we need to understand the pressure he faces coming in at 3, knowing that the batsman below are not capable of even rotating strike much less hitting boundaries.

Those who say that his hitting game holds him back from the best batsmen in the world need to understand that he has a much greater responsibility compared with those, and to perform as he does is nothing short of brilliant. For me, and for many others, he is rightfully one of the best batsmen in the world going around.

[praveen]

Enjoyed both his knocks this series , congrats on being number 1. Huge achievement.

Can he up his strike rate ? Sure. But he is a solid anchor and played a great knock today considering the situation. This thread is criticism for sake of it. If you expect Babar to be best in class anchor and accelerator , very few have achieved that in world cricket esp with such a weak batting order. He showed glimpses of power hitting towards end today , he can only improve from here on.

[zarak]

No he is not. Put Babar in the England ODI team instead of Bairstow or Buttler and England’s batting will suffer.

Replace either of the two with Babar in the Pakistan side and our batting will immediately improve.

Warner has tapered off a bit recently but he’s still better than Babar.

Compare him to root. Compare fakhar to bairstow. Compare asif Ali to butler. Babar seems to be doing better than root in Odis. Still no where near Sharma and Kohli

[TeymurBlake]

H's a solid batsman and extremely reliable one for Pakistan, regarding his power hitting, he doesn't need to hit big sixes to get a 100+ SR, he can rotate strike better, he can focus on more fours and as for sixes, he doesn't need to hit them consistently. Hitting 3 or 4 sixes a innings isn't bad.

[90MPH]

Some of our fans are so fickle, they want Babar to become a wild slogger like Umar Akmal, then when he doesn’t perform they will want him dropped and then we recycle garbage like Asif Ali again.

Babar will probably become one of Paks greatest batsman in ODIs, a huge statement I know but he’s been consistent for years.

I think he can improve on his footwork when it comes to the Test game but even that format he has improved recently.

The few fans who keep pointing at him need to get off his back, and focus on the weak middle order that comes after him that is hampering our progress.

[Hasan123]

Problem is some posters don’t want no criticism of Babar approach at all. It is worrying how he could not really accelerate against Markham and Smuts. Teams will be watching this and potentially using this approach. We were in a position to get 350 and we only got 320 because of Hasan Ali. There is nothing wrong in expecting Babar to improve and expecting more from him in today’s situation. We were in the last 10 overs so there was no need to preserve wickets, yes we had a weak middle order. But He really could have done better in that situation. As much as I rate some of the new SA talent coming through, a better team could have restricted us to less than 320 or even chased the score we ended up getting. Some posters on here need to understand that Babar approach may not work against better teams with better bowlers and teams who have batters who can chase down 300ish.

[TheNightWatchman]

Problem is some posters don’t want no criticism of Babar approach at all. It is worrying how he could not really accelerate against Markham and Smuts. Teams will be watching this and potentially using this approach. We were in a position to get 350 and we only got 320 because of Hasan Ali. There is nothing wrong in expecting Babar to improve and expecting more from him in today’s situation. We were in the last 10 overs so there was no need to preserve wickets, yes we had a weak middle order. But He really could have done better in that situation. As much as I rate some of the new SA talent coming through, a better team could have restricted us to less than 320 or even chased the score we ended up getting. Some posters on here need to understand that Babar approach may not work against better teams with better bowlers and teams who have batters who can chase down 300ish.

@90MPH this. exactly this. You are overreacting. Nobody wants him to slog wildly like Umar Akmal. But it's a thing coaches/players of other teams with multiple footage and experience will take note of.

[shamaan]

No he is not. Put Babar in the England ODI team instead of Bairstow or Buttler and England’s batting will suffer.

Replace either of the two with Babar in the Pakistan side and our batting will immediately improve.

Warner has tapered off a bit recently but he’s still better than Babar.

Babar wont need to replace buttler or baistrow he will replace root.

[shamaan]

Which average SR? The ~90 SR that he averages in ODI or the ~130 SR he averages in T20s?

Everyone knows he cannot score a 30-ball hundred. He can score at upwards of a 150 SR, which he has shown in the past.

Which play has a 30 ball hundred?

[shamaan]

Top innings by babar striking at over 100

[CaptainIce]

I have never seen him 'go big' honestly. I don't think he has that ability.

I do agree with you on this one, Babar is a stroke player and needs a set up for him to play at a faster rate. I don't think that we should change his role, rather have those 'power hitters' play around him. But yes he must develop his power hitting to some extent to reach the next level of cricket.

[TheNightWatchman]

Missed out on a freehit. Definitely not the first time I've seen him miss out on freebies. Really needs to learn to slog

[TheNightWatchman]

Struggling to get going today which is rare for him. SR less than 100. Poor innings from his standards. Missed out on a freehit again

[b.lesner]

I think if he keeps playing like this he may brake the record for slowest Fifty in T20I

[Sir-fraz]

Innings just proves that hes is in the tier of amla this innings has been below avg. His lack of hitting puts pressure on his partners to hit big..

[TheNightWatchman]

Innings just proves that hes is in the tier of amla this innings has been below avg. His lack of hitting puts pressure on his partners to hit big..

This is that Misbah mindset Pakistan was really trying to get rid of. But Since Misbah is coach we'll see more of these sort of innings from him in the future it seems

[Sir-fraz]

This is that Misbah mindset Pakistan was really trying to get rid of. But Since Misbah is coach we'll see more of these sort of innings from him in the future it seems

Not at all, cant blame misbah for everything. He doesnt have the power game or big shot hitting ability

[TheNightWatchman]

Not at all, cant blame misbah for everything. He doesnt have the power game or big shot hitting ability

He doesn't, but he's also playing very conservatively, his natural pace is still faster, and he's relying on Faheem and Hasan Ali to hit big like Misbah relied on Umar Akmal and Afridi. Rizwan mentioned it was a team plan for one person to remain stable on the wicket and the rest to go crazy

[Sir-fraz]

He doesn't, but he's also playing very conservatively, his natural pace is still faster, and he's relying on Faheem and Hasan Ali to hit big like Misbah relied on Umar Akmal and Afridi. Rizwan mentioned it was a team plan for one person to remain stable on the wicket and the rest to go crazy

Hes the captain and should voice his opinions, this clearly shows he doesnt and proves he has a meek mentality that isnt condusive to winning...

[YousafTheBeast]

Babar Azam is only good for the first 5 overs, once the field is put back he’s pretty much useless.

[Mamoon]

Hashim Amla II.

[Markhor]

It's not a new problem. I remember the 2nd T20 vs England last summer on a belter where yes Babar scored another fifty, the boundaries looked beautiful etc.

However he wasted far too many balls in the PP and it proved to be a match losing innings in the context of the game where most batsmen were striking at 150-200.

Apparently this is a reused pitch and we await to see how SAF bat on it, but Babar must work on powerhitting with somebody like Hafeez who practised hard at it and we've seen the results.

[Titan24]

Apparently this is a reused pitch and we await to see how SAF bat on it, but Babar must work on powerhitting with somebody like Hafeez who practised hard at it and we've seen the results.

Yes quite a few Pak batsmen including Babar can learn from Hafeez. Hafeez was always a really good timer of the ball, how he has translated his gift of timing to hit boundaries is something a lot of batsmen in Pak can learn. Hafeez isn’t actually the powerhitter/ basher of the ball like Russel, Fakhar, Pollard etc, he is a timer which batsmen like Babar and some others can really try to emulate as well when trying to push the tun rate.

[TheNightWatchman]

If he lacks the skill he should work on it. Slogging and hitting are such a huge part of modern day batting. And it's not such a technical issue so he should pick up on it quickly.
Time to hit the gym and up his power. Fitness is key

[ChTab]

It was so obvious from Babar's innings that he only wanted to end up as not out so it can elevate his batting average.

For everyone who is saying take out Babar's runs & see where our scores would be, Pakistan would've been a lot better if Babar got out on 1st delivery instead of this pathetic innings, Pakistan would have scored 90 in about 11 overs without Babar's stupid 50.

Plus every batsman was under pressure because of this selfish inning from Babar, that's why they got out trying to hit shots.

[TheNightWatchman]

Yes quite a few Pak batsmen including Babar can learn from Hafeez. Hafeez was always a really good timer of the ball, how he has translated his gift of timing to hit boundaries is something a lot of batsmen in Pak can learn. Hafeez isn’t actually the powerhitter/ basher of the ball like Russel, Fakhar, Pollard etc, he is a timer which batsmen like Babar and some others can really try to emulate as well when trying to push the tun rate.

Well it's timing and Power. The golfing really helped Hafeez

[WhenSultansBowled]

It is so rare to see a top order T20I batsman struggle hitting free hits

Let's see if he can improve his power hitting until the upcoming world cup. That's what separates ordinary from extraordinary players... the ability to overcome a weakness.

Who is our batting coach? YK? Time to earn that paycheck...

[Cyclotron]

Compare him to root. Compare fakhar to bairstow. Compare asif Ali to butler. Babar seems to be doing better than root in Odis. Still no where near Sharma and Kohli

Buddy you cannot compare Asif Ali and buttler.Buttler is way better than ali.buttler has ability to bat sensibly he does not go berserk like ali.you can atleast rely on butter to pull out things but you cannot say same for Ali.same goes from Barstow and fakhar.No doubt that if fakhar gets going he can totally change match and is a bigger match winner than Bairstow but Bairstow is more consistent and always give them a very good start.

[Indiafan]

Scored the second slowest T20 fifty for Pakistan today of 49 balls (slowest one being by Shoaib Khan against Zimbabwe in 2008 who scored 50 of 53 balls in a winning chase of 108 runs)

[TheNightWatchman]

Okay, so now the goal-posts have shifted from 'Babar cannot hit' to 'Babar cannot hit under pressure'. Next you'll inquire if he can do it on a Friday while jumping up and down.

I'll end by reiterating myself: Power hitting is not Babar's strength but it is no weakness either. He is no Pollard but he isn't Fawad Alam.

woo man you're posts haven't aged well and it's not even been a week

[King_Kohli]

Lowest SR in a T20I innings with 40+ balls for Pakistan:
(Since 2018)

SR 97.6 -(40 off 41) - Babar Azam vs New Zealand - 2018
SR 100 - (50 off 50) - Babar Azam vs SA - Today
SR 100 - (41 off 41) - Babar Azam vs New Zealand - 2018
SR 102 - (45 off 44) - Babar Azam vs Australia - 2018

[RajBan]

Lowest SR in a T20I innings with 40+ balls for Pakistan:
(Since 2018)

SR 97.6 -(40 off 41) - Babar Azam vs New Zealand - 2018
SR 100 - (50 off 50) - Babar Azam vs SA - Today
SR 100 - (41 off 41) - Babar Azam vs New Zealand - 2018
SR 102 - (45 off 44) - Babar Azam vs Australia - 2018

That's a telling stat. Not useful for T20. Why did not Fakhar play today?

[King_Kohli]

That's a telling stat. Not useful for T20. Why did not Fakhar play today?

had some health issues.

[cricketjoshila]

He is limited in his hitting capacity, thats getting obvious. Teams may try to choke his runs in future.

[TeamPak95]

It's the worst of both worlds, I feel. On one hand, yes Babar needs to stamp his authority when he's set at the crease and really give it to the opposition hence where the issue of his power hitting comes in. On the other hand, you can't deny the fact that more times than not, Babar can't fully rely on the batsmen around him.

It's that annoying thing of Babar being paged and labeled as selfish for being defensive when guys around him are getting out in quick succession, and if he gets out trying to accelerate it's his lack of power hitting that is criticized. Either way, Babar needs to add that extra gear for run acceleration.

[jnaveen1980]

I don't think SA fans ever cried about AMla not being able to smash bowlers all over. They had ABDV for that, Miller for that. QDK for that. Ace batsman from a country could generally do both. Build & Accelerate. In the 90s, Tendulkar, Lara, Aravinda, Mark Waugh, Inzamam. Babar is not quiet there yet. Probably he will never reach those heights. They were doing in the 90s with two old balls. Right now with increased power play overs and two new balls you should be able to destroy bowling on good batting surfaces.

[Greenstorm]

It is evident that during this series, Babar is trying to hit the ball hard in order to do some 'power hitting'. That is clearly not working and I don't think a top handed batsman like him, can ever adopt the modern power game.

He should always open the innings in T20s and must play to his strengths i.e. timing the ball through gaps. Moreover he should look to build a lineup of power hitters around him. Babar was doing very well as an opener until this Rizwan experiment started.

[Nikhil_cric]

What's the obsession with making him a power hitter anyway? He's fine in ODI's. He's an anchor, not a finisher and Pakistan just need a better lower middle order/finishers. That said, T20I's may not be for him and he would be better off focussing on ODI's and Tests.

[rhony]

What's the obsession with making him a power hitter anyway? He's fine in ODI's. He's an anchor, not a finisher and Pakistan just need a better lower middle order/finishers. That said, T20I's may not be for him and he would be better off focussing on ODI's and Tests.

I don't think it's the ability issue. He's one of the best timers of the ball in world cricket now and has a great range of strokes. He doesn't need to hit big sixers either. It's his team selection. Haider, Faheem and Hasan at 5,6,7 doesn't evoke confidence. You either trust them and go all in or go with others. 50 ball 50 in T20Is is almost always a match losing innings unless you are chasing sub 120.

[WhenSultansBowled]

I don't think SA fans ever cried about AMla not being able to smash bowlers all over. They had ABDV for that, Miller for that. QDK for that. Ace batsman from a country could generally do both. Build & Accelerate. In the 90s, Tendulkar, Lara, Aravinda, Mark Waugh, Inzamam. Babar is not quiet there yet. Probably he will never reach those heights. They were doing in the 90s with two old balls. Right now with increased power play overs and two new balls you should be able to destroy bowling on good batting surfaces.

True. In a fair world he would have freedom to play his natural game and would be averaging 55+ in LOIs...

But Pakistan are still clinging to Hafeez for T20 and a possible ODI middle order spot. Desperate situation.

When we play against any top team, people will realize how fragile our batting is. It is not criticism for sake of it. Babar Azam lacks ability to slog. He is a gun batsman but Pakistan will need him to hit 6ers if we wanna have a respectable outcome in T20I world cup.

[Buffet]

Lowest SR in a T20I innings with 40+ balls for Pakistan:
(Since 2018)

SR 97.6 -(40 off 41) - Babar Azam vs New Zealand - 2018
SR 100 - (50 off 50) - Babar Azam vs SA - Today
SR 100 - (41 off 41) - Babar Azam vs New Zealand - 2018
SR 102 - (45 off 44) - Babar Azam vs Australia - 2018

20(20) is less harmful than 40(40) or 60(60) in T-20.

Babar has limitations, but he is a fine batsman. His limitations are less of an issue in ODI and tests.

[jnaveen1980]

True. In a fair world he would have freedom to play his natural game and would be averaging 55+ in LOIs...

But Pakistan are still clinging to Hafeez for T20 and a possible ODI middle order spot. Desperate situation.

When we play against any top team, people will realize how fragile our batting is. It is not criticism for sake of it. Babar Azam lacks ability to slog. He is a gun batsman but Pakistan will need him to hit 6ers if we wanna have a respectable outcome in T20I world cup.

That is just a limitation. It is definitely not the most pressing concern. Not even in the top 10 for Pakistan. Pakistan should build a strong team around him. Imagine him trying to play outside his nature and getting out cheaply. He will lose his consistency as well. That is the last thing Pakistan will want.

[Nikhil_cric]

I don't think it's the ability issue. He's one of the best timers of the ball in world cricket now and has a great range of strokes. He doesn't need to hit big sixers either. It's his team selection. Haider, Faheem and Hasan at 5,6,7 doesn't evoke confidence. You either trust them and go all in or go with others. 50 ball 50 in T20Is is almost always a match losing innings unless you are chasing sub 120.

He's an amazing timer of the ball and that's enough for his role in ODI's and certainly more than enough in Tests. He's similar to Kohli in the sense that neither are powerful strikers of the cricket ball. However, Kohli has a strike rate in the 140's in recent years in T20I's and he still gets a bit of criticism from certain quarters for not accelerating enough. Babar has way too much on his plate currently and I think it'd be better if he gives up captaincy and the shortest format.

[sindhiboy]

He's an amazing timer of the ball and that's enough for his role in ODI's and certainly more than enough in Tests. He's similar to Kohli in the sense that neither are powerful strikers of the cricket ball. However, Kohli has a strike rate in the 140's in recent years in T20I's and he still gets a bit of criticism from certain quarters for not accelerating enough. Babar has way too much on his plate currently and I think it'd be better if he gives up captaincy and the shortest format.

If sharjeel or any other batsman was a consistent performer, you could make a case of babars omission. But paks batting is so poor, they can't afford to drop him.

It's like if Zimbabwe had pujara. They would play him even in t20s as they would have no other option