Babar Azam’s last ODI century was against Nepal in August 2023. That is 23 innings ago. In between, he scored seven half-centuries, albeit few of them were as fluent as they previously were. The plot does not change much in different formats. His last significant T20I knock was against Ireland in May 2024. Babar has scored 50 runs in only two of his last 26 test innings. The Pakistani superstar is on a downhill spiral. This is seen in Pakistan’s performance.
The current champions were eliminated from the Champions Trophy, the first ICC competition they have hosted since 1996, in only four days after losing to New Zealand and India in their respective group matches. They eventually made it to the tri-series final at home, but were defeated by New Zealand in the summit battle. Babar’s play, notably his scoring rate, came under criticism after Pakistan was eliminated from the competition. When the former Pakistan captain was under fire from the country’s top cricketers, famous India batsman Sunil Gavaskar stepped in to help him.
While speaking with former Pakistan cricketer Basit Ali on his YouTube channel, Gavaskar proposed a technical modification that may help Babar Azam get back on track. The former India captain advised Babar to abandon his wide stance, which would allow him to move more freely at the crease and give him a greater understanding of the ball’s bounce.
Gavaskar provides a winning mantra to Babar Azam.
“If you ask me about technique, I will only say one thing to Babar Azam. Right now, his position is broad,” Gavaskar explained. “If he minimizes the breadth between his legs (when standing at the crease), he will have two advantages: he will not be uncomfortable traveling forward or backward. Second, when you narrow the distance, your height grows. You have a greater sense of the bounce, are more upright, and can tackle the ball more effectively. If he attempts this, his run-making skill will return. If he achieves this, it would bring delight not just to the people of Pakistan, but to the entire globe.
Gavaskar, who last faced Babar at the T20 World Cup in the United States last year, said he has always admired the elegant right-hander’s strokeplay, which he feels offers delight to cricket fans all over the world.
“He brings a lot of excitement with his cover drive. Even against India, look at the flick shot he made for a boundary across mid-wicket; it was a tremendous shot. “The entire world wants to see such shots,” Gavaskar said.
Babar will have one more chance to silence his detractors in Pakistan’s last Champions Trophy encounter against Bangladesh on Thursday (February 27).
