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Pakistan’s white-ball captain, Babar Azam, finds himself at the center of a dramatic narrative as he grapples with a notable dip in form. This struggle has heightened the stakes for the upcoming two-Test series against Bangladesh, which kicks off on August 21 in Rawalpindi.
Currently, Babar is under intense scrutiny as he works through a challenging dry spell. Former Pakistan captain Salman Butt has weighed in on the situation, noting that Babar, renowned for his dynamic batting and consistent performance, is now under significant pressure. The upcoming Test series against Bangladesh is poised to be a critical juncture for him.
Salman Butt cautions about the mounting pressure on Babar Azam as Pakistan prepares to face Bangladesh in a pivotal Test series.
Babar Azam’s recent performances, both as a batter and a captain, have been underwhelming. His last century came against Nepal in August 2023, and since then, his form has raised concerns and sparked speculation about his future. This slump has not only impacted his personal statistics but has also cast a shadow over his role as Pakistan’s white-ball captain.
There has been growing sentiment suggesting Babar should step down from the captaincy and concentrate solely on his batting, given his immense potential and talent to become a modern great. The Men in Green have also struggled to produce results, and Babar’s inability to play substantial innings has only compounded the scrutiny he faces.
Despite his proven prowess across formats, Babar’s recent lack of significant scores has heightened the pressure. Former Pakistani skipper Salman Butt, however, remains optimistic, believing that Azam will overcome this difficult period and reaffirm his status as one of the world’s premier batters.
There is definitely pressure on Babar: Salman Butt
The cricket pundit has acknowledged that Babar is under substantial pressure to perform in the home Test series against Bangladesh. However, he also pointed out that Babar possesses the skill and experience to bounce back and rekindle his dominant form. With a history of exceptional performances, Babar has the potential to turn this challenging period into a defining chapter of his distinguished career.
Salman Butt said on his YouTube channel: “Yes, absolutely. Look, personally, as a player who has been consistently scoring runs, and considering that he hasn’t had a big innings in a while, and with questions around his captaincy, there is definitely pressure on him. But who better to handle pressure than him? This player has delivered such excellent performances, so he knows well how to make a comeback into form.”
Salman Butt dismisses the comparison between Babar Azam and Virat Kohli amid the Pakistan captain’s form struggles.
During the discussion, a Pakistani journalist noted that even with a clear understanding of what needs to be done, players can face significant challenges when they are out of form or their mindset is unsettled, regardless of their stature. He cited Virat Kohli as an example of a great player who has encountered similar struggles.
However, Salman Butt promptly clarified that comparing Babar Azam to Kohli might not be entirely fair. The journalist later emphasized that his intention was not to draw a direct comparison but to illustrate that even top players can go through periods of poor form.
Butt concurred with this view, acknowledging that Kohli himself experienced a prolonged struggle for runs before making a remarkable comeback across all formats. Yet, Kohli has recently faced another slump, failing to deliver significant scores in the T20 World Cup 2024 and the recent ODI series against Sri Lanka.
