Babar Azam is currently under the microscope, and not in the way fans would hope. His recent struggles with the bat have sparked a debate among cricket pundits, with former Pakistan wicketkeeper Rashid Latif making some eyebrow-raising comparisons.
The Sehwag Comparison
Rashid Latif’s analysis cuts deep, suggesting that Babar’s issues aren’t just a matter of poor form but are rooted in technical shortcomings. He likens Babar’s situation to that of Virender Sehwag, the explosive Indian opener known for his aggressive batting style.
Sehwag, despite his legendary status, often struggled to regain form when his technique faltered. Rashid Latif believes Babar is experiencing a similar downturn, where his aggressive instincts are leading to poor shot selection and ultimately, a prolonged slump.
“Babar Azam was a skilled player, but in the face of a lean patch, he started charging the ball harder, which made his shot selection really tough,” Latif noted. This observation is particularly telling, as it hints that Babar’s natural aggression, once his strength, is now working against him.
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The Tendulkar Difference
On the other hand, Rashid Latif contrasts Babar’s situation with that of Sachin Tendulkar, arguably the greatest batsman to ever play the game. Tendulkar, according to Latif, was able to navigate through rough patches because of his flawless technique.
Where Sehwag struggled, Tendulkar thrived, using his sound batting foundation to overcome dips in form without much trouble. “Since Sachin had a sound and good batting technique, he never took time to overcome the patchy form,” Latif pointed out.
The implication here is clear: while Babar has the talent, his technical flaws are preventing him from pulling himself out of this slump as quickly as Tendulkar once did.
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Babar’s Battle: Time to Refine?
Latif’s comments serve as both a critique and a warning. He believes that unless Babar Azam refines his technique, his struggles will continue, much like Sehwag’s did during his lean phases.
Babar’s recent performances seem to back up this claim. In the ongoing Test series against Bangladesh, he has only managed to score 22, 31, and 11 runs—numbers far below what fans and selectors expect from a player of his caliber.
“Babar is literally failing to decide which ball to hit or leave. The entire problem in his batting lies here only,” Latif added, emphasizing the need for Babar to reassess his approach at the crease.
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