Former Pakistan wicketkeeper Kamran Akmal has raised concerns over Babar Azam’s dip in form, attributing the Pakistan star’s struggles to technical flaws in his batting. Akmal reckons Babar, a consistent performer for Pakistan, now seems unsure of himself at the crease, particularly against deliveries outside off-stump.
“He is unsure of himself and his off-stump early on and has this tendency to leave his leg stump exposed,” Akmal said. ” Balls that should be played towards cover are being played straight, and the bat doesn’t go towards the ball’s direction,” he added.
Babar’s dip in form has been reflected in his recent fall from the top 10 in the International Cricket Council (ICC) men’s Test batting rankings, a position he has held since December 2019. Following a disappointing Test series against Bangladesh, in which Babar managed just 64 runs across four innings, he slipped out of the rankings. His form has been on a steady decline, with the 29-year-old failing to score a century since December 2022 and going 16 innings without a half-century in Test cricket.
Pakistan’s own fortunes have mirrored Babar’s struggles, with the team suffering a shocking 2-0 home series defeat to Bangladesh. This loss has pushed Pakistan to No. 8 in the latest ICC Test rankings, their lowest in recent years. The series marked Pakistan’s first-ever Test loss to Bangladesh, compounding pressure on both Babar and the team management.
Akmal did not limit his critique to Babar alone but also targeted the team management and captains, accusing them of neglecting spinners in home conditions. “There is no way we will win a home series without a spinner taking wickets,” Akmal asserted, emphasizing that Pakistan’s recent Test performances have suffered due to a lack of trust in the country’s spinners.
Kamran further highlighted how Pakistan’s previous successes in both home conditions and in the UAE were largely due to their effective use of spin. “Even when we were forced to play in the UAE, we won Tests mainly because of our spinners,” Akmal said, adding that the current management’s failure to develop spinners was a key reason for the recent Test defeats.
The former player questioned the exclusion of experienced spinners like Yasir Shah, Noman Ali, and Sajid Khan, who had all previously delivered strong performances. “What was Yasir Shah’s fault? What was Sajid Khan’s fault? All of them have taken five-wicket hauls and yet are out of the team,” he lamented.
Akmal also pointed to Pakistan’s batting woes, particularly against faster bowlers. He criticized the team’s inability to handle pace over 140 km/h, noting that Pakistan’s batters struggled against Bangladesh’s Taskin Ahmed and Nahid Rana, who consistently bowled at high speeds.
The former wicketkeeper further blamed Pakistan’s domestic cricket structure, highlighting how many players prioritize playing in foreign leagues over competing in domestic tournaments. He urged players to strike a balance between earning money and developing their skills for the national team. “They prefer to go and play in useless foreign leagues to earn money, and this is not helping them develop their skills,” Akmal said.
While acknowledging players’ right to pursue financial opportunities, Akmal stressed the importance of commitment to the national cause. “As a professional, you have to balance your schedule and ensure that while you earn money, you also improve yourself as a player for your country,” he concluded.
