Former Pakistan cricketer Ramiz Raja has come to the defence of Babar Azam, who has been criticised for his dismal batting in the first Test against Bangladesh. Babar managed 22 runs in the match which Pakistan lost by ten wickets in Rawalpindi.
Babar returned with a duck in the first innings and could survive 50 deliveries in the following one. The Pakistan batting unit faced a collapse in the second innings and was bowled out for 146 runs. Following the humiliating defeat, fans slammed almost every senior member of the team. Social media were flooded with many posts where questions were raised on Babar’s persistent poor form.
Ramiz Raja feels Pakistan cricket fans have been too harsh about Babar in recent times. While speaking on his YouTube channel, the former PCB chief said, “It seems the entire nation does not have a problem with anything except the form of Babar Azam. Unfortunately, what happens is when you lose a match and you have not scored runs and if you are Babar Azam, then you become a headline – How did we lose? What did he do? What was his contribution?"
In this regard, Ramiz Raja pointed the finger at “this era of social media" where “anybody can criticize and ridicule anyone." “This should be discouraged as much as possible," he added. The cricketer-turned-commentator further urged Babar to ignore such criticisms and keep focusing on his game.
“Fan following increases with wins and fans identify themselves with success stories. Babar Azam has had a famous success story. There is no doubt that he has been a big player in all three formats. So what does he have to do? First, avoid social media. Second, stay in the moment," Ramiz Raja said. “When you are not able to score runs, it becomes a mental game and you start second-guessing. So you start worrying and that worrisome look is evident on Babar’s face. He is trying hard, so frustration will be there," he added.
In the end, Ramiz Raja advised Babar Azam to “spend more time on the crease" during training sessions. He also suggested that Babar should practice “hook and pull shots a lot" which will help in increasing “his focus" on the ball.
The second Test between Pakistan and Bangladesh began at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on August 30. The hosts have lost four wickets in the first innings, with Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan unbeaten at the crease on Day 2.
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