Once hailed as Pakistan’s batting crown jewel, Babar Azam now finds himself at a crossroads in his cricketing journey. The former World No.1 across formats is enduring the longest dry spell of his career — one that has left fans disheartened, selectors unconvinced and former players deeply concerned.
Dubbed ‘King Babar’ for his elegance at the crease, remarkable shot selection and record-breaking consistency, the right-hander has not scored a century in 43 months. His prolonged lean patch has not only dented his confidence but also seen him dropped from the national side — first on the tour to Zimbabwe and more recently in the T20 series against New Zealand.
The numbers paint a grim picture. In his last 10 Test innings, Babar has scraped together just 273 runs at an average of 27.3, with only three half-centuries. His ODI form has been slightly better—403 runs at 40.3 with five fifties — but in T20s, he has managed a mere 236 runs at an average of 26.
With criticism mounting, some of Pakistan’s cricket greats have stepped forward not just to analyse his slump but to offer candid advice.
Zaheer Abbas: Time to Seek Guidance
Former Pakistan captain and batting maestro Zaheer Abbas believes Babar’s struggles may be rooted in pride —or perhaps shyness.
I get the impression that either Babar has an ego issue or he’s simply too reserved to approach his seniors for help. I remember when Mohammad Azharuddin was struggling for runs during India’s 1990 tour of Pakistan. He came to me for advice. I suggested a change in grip, and that transformed his game.
Zaheer also pointed to a noticeable technical flaw: Babar’s increasingly closed stance. “He used to have a more open stance, but now it’s tighter. He’s rushing into his shots, which shows he’s not adjusting in time to the ball.”
Rashid Latif: No Mentor in Sight
Former captain and sharp cricketing mind Rashid Latif feels Babar is fighting this battle alone—and that’s part of the problem.
When you’re under pressure, you have to find ways to navigate it. But Babar seems stuck. There’s no proper mentor or batting coach in the dressing room. Without guidance, he has to find his own way — and that’s a tough ask at this level.
Shoaib Mohammad: Time to Recalibrate
Shoaib Mohammad, son of the legendary Hanif Mohammad and a technically sound batsman in his own right, believes the world has decoded Babar.
Opposition teams now know his strengths—his cover drive, pull shot, and even his vulnerability against spin. They’re bowling to a plan, and it’s working.
“Babar looks frustrated when the boundaries don’t come. He needs to focus on rotating the strike, building innings the old-fashioned way. Right now, he seems caught between wanting to live up to the ‘King’ tag and the reality of his form.”
Shoaib also suggested Babar might benefit from speaking to a cricket psychologist. “He recently told fans not to call him ‘King’ anymore. That shows the pressure is getting to him. A clearer mindset could make all the difference.”
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