Renowned former cricketer Mushtaq Ahmed has commended Pakistan’s white-ball captain, Babar Azam, for his recent shift towards a more aggressive batting style. The 29-year-old Azam, who was recently reinstated as the captain of Pakistan’s white-ball cricket team, led the squad in the 2024 T20 World Cup. Despite their early exit from the tournament following two group-stage losses, Babar’s individual performance has been a focal point of discussion.
In an interview with a local sports channel, Mushtaq Ahmed, now 54, highlighted Babar’s noticeable change in batting strategy over the past year. He remarked on how Babar’s newfound aggression has been evident, reflecting a significant transformation in his approach.
“Babar has clearly evolved in his batting approach, showing a much more aggressive intent recently. This shift in his game is substantial, and it’s commendable how much he has improved,” Mushtaq noted.
However, Mushtaq also expressed concerns about the overall teamwork within the Pakistan cricket squad. He pointed out that while Babar might set a strong foundation with his innings, the support from other players in crucial final overs has been lacking for some time.
“Every player in the team has a responsibility to contribute runs. If Babar sets a solid score but the rest fail to capitalize in the last 7-8 overs, it’s a serious issue. This has been a recurring problem over the past few years, where players only seem to perform when the stakes are low,” he explained.
Despite these issues, Mushtaq urged fans and critics to remember Babar’s significant contributions to Pakistan cricket. He emphasized that Babar’s impact on the team and his international reputation should not be overlooked.
“Babar has brought immense pride to Pakistan cricket, and there’s a reason for his global respect. It’s important to acknowledge his achievements and not be overly critical,” Mushtaq concluded.
The legendary spinner’s comments come at a time when the Pakistan cricket team is under scrutiny, and his support for Babar Azam highlights the captain’s importance to the team’s future success.
