Former Pakistan captain Salman Butt recently shared his thoughts on why Babar Azam is facing such intense criticism, offering a perspective that sheds light on the challenges the star batter is currently grappling with.
The Weight of Expectations
According to Salman Butt, the root of the issue lies in Babar’s consistency. Yes, you read that right—his consistency. Babar has been Pakistan’s go-to guy for years, churning out runs like a machine. But this very consistency has now turned into a double-edged sword.
“There are two reasons why Babar is facing so much heat,” Butt explained in an interview with a local sports channel.
“No doubt, he is currently Pakistan’s best batter and, I think, the most consistent player of the decade. But the problem is that when a player struggled earlier, they were more out of form than Babar.”
Butt’s point is clear: Babar has set the bar so high that any dip in his performance feels like a massive letdown. And with no one else stepping up to match his level, the spotlight on Babar only intensifies.
Salman Butt also highlighted a critical issue in Pakistan’s cricket setup: the over-reliance on Babar Azam.
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“Now the problem is that Babar has scored so much, then he is the only one who scores most of the runs for Pakistan. There is no one with him who can match him,” he added. It’s a harsh reality. On days when Babar doesn’t score big, Pakistan’s chances of winning plummet.
The Missing Ingredient: Player Development
So, what’s the solution? According to Butt, it’s all about player development—or the lack thereof. He argues that Pakistan’s focus on power-hitting and aggressive play has come at a cost: the absence of technically sound players who can anchor an innings when Babar fails to deliver.
“You tried to develop everyone on the basis of power-hitting, the basis of playing openly. And now you don’t have players with the right techniques,” Butt lamented.
This is a glaring issue, especially in the longer formats of the game, where technique and temperament are crucial.
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The Numbers Don’t Lie
Babar’s recent form hasn’t helped his case. In the ongoing Test series against Bangladesh, he has returned with scores of 0, 22, 31, and 11. These numbers are far from what fans have come to expect from their star player. To make matters worse, he hasn’t scored a fifty in his last 15 Test innings.
The road ahead for Babar Azam is undoubtedly challenging. The pressure is mounting, and the criticism is getting louder. But as Salman Butt’s insights suggest, the problem isn’t just with Babar—it’s with the system that has failed to produce other match-winning players.
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