NEW DELHI: Former Pakistan wicketkeeper-batter Kamran Akmal believes that pushing Babar Azam to open the innings is damaging both his confidence and Pakistan’s team balance.
With Saim Ayub unavailable, Babar partnered with Fakhar Zaman at the top during Pakistan’s opening match of the ODI tri-series against New Zealand. However, his struggles continued as he managed only 10 off 23 balls. Kamran feels this tactical shift is hurting both Babar and the team’s overall stability.
Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW!"You are making Babar open. With this decision, the team combination is ruined, and so is Babar's confidence," Kamran commented on his YouTube channel.
Since returning from South Africa, where he notched three consecutive fifties in Tests, Babar’s form has dipped. His struggles began against the West Indies in Multan last month, and the slump has carried into ODIs.
In the tri-series opener, Babar’s attempt to regain form at the top of the order backfired, extending his century drought since his 151-run masterclass against Nepal in August 2023.
His decline started on Multan’s turning pitches during the West Indies series. In Pakistan’s 127-run win in the first Test, he managed just 8(20) and 5(11).
The second Test saw him falter again, falling for 1(5) in the first innings before showing some resilience with a 31(67) in the second. However, West Indies spinners Gudakesh Motie and Kevin Sinclair continued to trouble him.
With the ICC Champions Trophy looming on February 19, Babar will be eager to rediscover his touch and regain his lost rhythm before Pakistan’s title defence begins.
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