Pakistan batter Babar Azam. (FILE photo)
Pakistan talisman Babar Azam’s red-ball form has been blowing hot and cold for a while. The 30-year-old in fact was axed after first Test from the Pakistan squad last year when the side hosted England for a three-match Test series.
Pakistan has brought back Babar for the two-match Test series against Pakistan in December last year, where he started to look good and scored 193 runs at an average of 48.25 on relatively decent batting decks. However, in the home series against West Indies which started earlier this month Babar in one Test has scored 13 runs on a rank turner.
“Pakistan is damaging Babar’s confidence when he has just regained his rhythm. Since Pakistan won’t qualify for the World Test Championship (WTC) final, it would be wise to rest him. If you want to keep him in the Playing XI, prepare better pitches,” former player Basit Ali said on his YouTube channel.
Pakistan in home conditions struggled to find the right recipe of pitches that suited their side. However, last year against England they decided to go with dust bowls on which their spinners Sajid Khan and Noman Ali enjoyed success. But on the contrary batting on those wickets tends to become a bit of a lottery.
“If the pitch is similar to the first Test, it could harm the players’ confidence further. Babar struggled in the first Test, but he found his form in South Africa, scoring runs in both ODIs and Tests,” Basit Ali added.
Before the decision to go for rank-turners, Pakistan had played on flat decks where getting results looked increasingly difficult. “With WTC, you must win your home games to have any chance of making it to the final. When you think of Pakistan cricket you think of stylish batsmen and fast bowlers with genuine pace. You might get some short-term success, but it won’t allow you to be a really good all round side. The difference is the fast bowlers and Pakistan has the depth.” said Former New Zealand cricketer Scott Styris.
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