Former Pakistan skipper Shoaib Akhtar has a warning for Babar Azam on his future in T20 cricket and one-day internationals amid various changes in Pakistan’s white-ball team management. To save his career, Akhtar feels that Babar needs to score three centuries in a winning cause during the upcoming Champions Trophy tournament.
Babar made his return in the white-ball tour of Australia, playing three T20Is and ODIs last month, but his struggles continue. He scored 80 runs in the ODIs and 47 in three T20Is.
Due to his poor form, Babar was advised by many former cricketers to return to domestic cricket to improve his form. They warned him that with Pakistan having a new white-ball coach in Aqib Javed, he will have to score big runs in order to save his international career.
Akhtar said that Babar Azam is their star player and will always get his back, but against the new management he will have to show performances; otherwise he won’t be considered for ODIs and T20Is. He needs to be the best in the Champions Trophy and have to score three match-winning hundreds; otherwise, the path would be difficult.
“He is our star player and has my backing, but with the new management and the new thinking, he will have to show performances. Otherwise, he will not be considered for ODIs and T20Is. Babar needs to be at his best in the Champions Trophy. He will have to score three match-winning hundreds; otherwise, the path is going to be difficult for him.”
Pakistan has not played an ODI match for almost a year after their 2023 ODI World Cup against England. The team is now led by new team captain Mohammad Rizwan. Under him the team secured a historic ODI series win in Australia.
Azam’s approach towards T20I is quite concerning after seeing his numbers. He failed to score runs in the T20 World Cup 2024, where the team also failed to reach the Super 8 stage.