Former Pakistan captain Shoaib Akhtar has issued a stern warning to Babar Azam amid his recent struggles with the bat. With changes in Pakistan’s white-ball team management, Akhtar believes the upcoming Champions Trophy in Pakistan will be a decisive moment for Babar’s career in limited-overs cricket.
A Rough Patch for Babar
Babar’s recent form has been a concern. In the opening Test against England in Multan, he managed scores of just 30 and 5 before being dropped from the playing XI. While Pakistan went on to secure their first home Test series victory in three years, Babar’s absence highlighted his struggles.
His poor run extended into the white-ball series against Australia, where he scored only 47 runs in three T20Is and 80 runs across three ODIs. This dip in form has prompted calls from veteran cricketers for Babar to return to domestic cricket to regain his confidence and rhythm.
Champions Trophy: A Defining Campaign
With the Champions Trophy just two months away, Akhtar has placed immense pressure on Babar, urging him to deliver match-winning performances.
“He is a star player and has my full support. But with a new coach like Aqib Javed and a fresh approach, Babar will need to prove himself. He must score three match-winning centuries in the Champions Trophy; otherwise, his place in the ODI and T20I teams could be in jeopardy,” Akhtar warned.
Lessons from Virat Kohli’s Journey
Comparisons to Virat Kohli’s resurgence have been made by former cricketers, including Ricky Ponting. Kohli, after enduring a lean patch, took a month-long break in 2022 to reset. He returned to form with a century after three years and went on to become the Player of the Tournament in the T20 World Cup that same year.
Ponting suggested that a similar approach could benefit Babar. “Sometimes stepping away from the game helps to reset. Lock the kit bag away for a while and focus on other things. When he returns, we might see the Babar Azam we know—one of the best in the world,” Ponting said.
A Pivotal Moment
Babar’s inability to score a fifty since December 2022, coupled with a Test average of 20.7 since 2023, has raised questions about his long-term role in the team. However, his undeniable talent and leadership potential mean
