While Babar Azam has been a prolific run-scorer for his national team and domestic sides in the shortest format lately, his strike rate often draws him flak from the fans and cricket experts alike.
Pakistan’s all-format skipper is currently plying his trade in the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 2023 season for Peshawar Zalmi. He is producing good performances while leading the Peshawar team in the premier T20 tournament.
On Thursday (February 23), Babar scored 75 not out off 58 balls while opening the innings, taking his team to 156/8 in the match against Islamabad United. However, his strike rate once again became the talk of the town.
Babar was also asked in the post-match press conference about his strike rate and while the Zalmi skipper had initially snapped at the reporter for the question, he explained that he had to bring down his rate of scoring amid a batting collapse.
Amid the debate over his strike rate, former Pakistan captain Misbah-ul-Haq said that while Babar Azam starts the innings strongly, he needs to finish it aggressively as well.
Misbah cited examples of Virat Kohli and Suryakumar Yadav in his suggestion for Babar.
“Babar played well (against Islamabad United). He was great in the middle overs, considering the situation as well. But there is scope for improvement in one aspect; in the last two overs, if you compare with Virat Kohli, or even Mohammad Rizwan on the innings he played in the last match, you can make a difference of 20 runs on your own. You have to find your own way on how to put bowlers under pressure. You need to have that capability. He's a world class batter and he can do that,” Misbah said on Samaa TV.
“It's not as if you have to copy players like Kieron Pollard and others. You have to bank upon your strength. Virat Kohli isn't a player who hits many sixes, but in the last overs, he can chase 15-20 runs. He maintains his shape, and relies on his timing. He explores the vacant areas in the ground. Even Suryakumar Yadav is like that. If Babar can add this to his arsenal, he will become a dangerous T20 batter,” he added.
Under Babar Azam’s captaincy, Peshawar Zalmi has played four matches in the PSL 2023 so far, winning and losing two games each.
Babar will be next seen in action in Zalmi’s clash against Lahore Qalandars at Gaddafi Stadium on Sunday (February 26).
