Pakistani star batter Babar Azam has been facing a rough patch in his career, particularly in Test cricket. The 30-year-old was dropped from Pakistan’s Test team for the last two matches of the ongoing three-match series against England on October 13, a decision that surprised many fans and cricket experts. However, Pakistan secured a win in Babar’s absence, raising questions about his immediate future in the red-ball format.
The chances of Babar Azam’s return to the Test side have been further complicated by the performance of Kamran Ghulam, who replaced him. In his debut match, Ghulam scored a maiden century, helping Pakistan to a long-awaited Test win in front of home fans. This performance has justified his selection and added pressure on Babar’s chances of regaining his spot in the Test team.
Amid the uncertainty surrounding Babar’s Test future, former Indian cricketer Virender Sehwag has shared his thoughts on the matter. Speaking on Shoaib Akhtar’s YouTube channel, Sehwag highlighted that Babar’s struggles are more mental than technical. He emphasized the importance of returning to domestic cricket, focusing on fitness, and spending time with family to regain mental strength.
Sehwag said, “Babar Azam should play domestic cricket now. He should work on his fitness; he should spend some time with family, then come back to international cricket as a physically fitter and mentally stronger player.” He further added, “With expectations from Babar decreasing and his resignation from captaincy, it seems he has been more impacted mentally than in terms of technique. He needs to stay mentally strong.
”Babar’s recent form in Test cricket has been underwhelming. He has failed to score a fifty in his last 18 Test innings, a slump that has affected his confidence. Despite this, Sehwag expressed confidence in Babar’s ability to bounce back, noting that talented players like him often recover quickly from difficult phases.
While Babar’s place in the Test side is uncertain, he is expected to be selected for Pakistan’s upcoming white-ball series against Australia. Pakistan will face Australia in a three-match ODI series starting on November 4 in Melbourne, followed by a three-match T20I series. This tour could offer Babar the opportunity to rediscover his form in international cricket.
