Pakistan cricketer Fakhar Zaman defends Babar Azam, the former national captain. Responding to increasing criticism, Fakhar Zaman defends Babar Azam, expressing concern over calls to drop Babar from the playing XI. He believes such a move could harm both the player and the team’s morale.
In a tweet, Fakhar Zaman reminded fans and experts of how India backed Virat Kohli. Between 2020 and 2023, Kohli went through one of the worst phases of his career. His batting averages during that period dropped to 19.33, 28.21, and 26.50. Despite his poor form, India continued to support him, keeping him in the team. Zaman highlighted how this faith eventually paid off, as Kohli has since returned to form.
Babar Azam, Pakistan’s star batsman and captain, has faced mounting criticism. Some have questioned his recent performances, calling for him to be dropped. Zaman, however, believes this would be a mistake. He referred to Babar as “arguably the best Pakistan has ever produced.” He emphasized that prematurely sidelining such a key player could send a negative message to the entire team.
According to Zaman, dropping Babar would not only affect the captain but could also lower team morale. He called for patience and trust in the star player. “There is still time to avoid pressing the panic button,” Zaman wrote, urging management to remain calm. The focus, he insisted, should be on safeguarding key players during tough times rather than undermining their confidence.
The comparison to Kohli’s struggle is particularly significant. Kohli is one of the greatest batsmen of this era. His form slump was a major talking point for nearly three years. Yet, India’s decision to stand by him helped Kohli recover and regain his match-winning form. Zaman believes Babar deserves the same level of trust and support.
Babar Azam’s stats are impressive, making him one of the best players in the world. Critics, however, have been quick to react to his recent underperformance. Zaman fears this criticism may lead to rash decisions, such as dropping Babar from the squad. He believes Pakistan cricket should focus on long-term success rather than short-term fixes.
In recent months, the Pakistan cricket team has faced pressure after some inconsistent performances. This has led to increasing debate over whether changes in the squad are necessary. However, Zaman’s statement has drawn attention to the importance of backing key players during difficult times. He noted how similar support helped Kohli rediscover his form.
Fakhar Zaman’s tweet serves as a reminder of how team management’s handling of player form can impact team culture. Dropping a star player like Babar may undermine team unity. Zaman emphasized the need to be cautious in making decisions that could hurt team morale. His message was clear: safeguarding key players is crucial to long-term success.
By highlighting the example of Kohli, Zaman advocates for patience and trust in Babar Azam. He believes that, like Kohli, Babar can emerge stronger from this phase. Zaman’s defense of Babar underscores the importance of maintaining faith in players even when they struggle.