Former Pakistan batter Umar Akmal has opened up about a time when his cousin, Babar Azam, approached him for advice on improving his batting against spin. According to Akmal, Babar struggled with spinners, frequently losing his wicket while attempting shots around midwicket. During that phase, Babar sought guidance from his cousin, hoping to refine his technique and overcome his difficulties.
Akmal recalled their discussion, explaining that he advised Babar to adjust his grip when facing spinners and ensure his eyes remained on the ball until it was halfway to him. This, he suggested, would allow Babar to make a better decision on whether to cut the ball or play a controlled shot. The conversation, as Akmal described, was a crucial moment in Babar’s development as a batter.
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Despite his talent, Babar has faced a rough patch in recent times, failing to score an international century since August 2023 and going three years without a Test hundred. His form in major ICC tournaments has also come under scrutiny, including his underwhelming performance in the Champions Trophy, where he managed only 87 runs in two innings.
Recently, Babar played in the National T20 Cup for Lahore Region Blues, scoring 22 off 17 balls before being dismissed by allrounder Danish Aziz. His inconsistency has seen him drift in and out of the national team, and he was notably dropped from the Pakistan squad touring New Zealand, where the team has already fallen to a 2-0 deficit in the five-match series.
Meanwhile, former Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi has raised concerns over the Pakistan Cricket Board’s decision to remove Mohammad Rizwan as T20I skipper after just six months, pointing out that Babar was given a significantly longer tenure to prove himself as captain. Calling for stability in leadership, Afridi emphasized the need for a permanent PCB chairman to ensure fair decisions in team management.
