Former Pakistani cricketer Mushtaq Ahmed advised Babar Azam to take a break for 2-3 matches like Virat Kohli to have a rest from his busy schedule.
Kohli took a break after the conclusion of the ODI World Cup 2024 as he withdrew his name from the T20I series against Australia. He had also taken a rest in the T20I and ODI series with South Africa.
Babar has been struggling with his form in Test cricket for a year as he has not scored a single fifty in 2023. In the Test series against Australia, the former Pakistan captain failed to make an impact. He scored 1 and 41 in the second Test while 14 and 21 in the first Test in Australia.
Mushtaq Ahmed thinks that players should be given 2-3 matches rest to protest their mental health.
“Across the world, we provide coaching, and when we realize a player is mentally disturbed, we give them a break of 2 or 3 matches. When Virat Kohli was out of form, he took a break, and since then, he hasn’t faced the same struggles. The management should have taken ownership and advised Babar to take a rest,” Mushtaq Ahmed added.
Indian players like Kohli, Rohit Sharma, and many senior cricketers take short breaks from cricket to prioritize their health and fitness.