NZ vs PAK: Babar Azam Practice SCG: ICC T20 World Cup 2022 – Pakistan skipper Babar Azam is ready to hit critics for a six ahead of the semi-final match against New Zealand. Azam opted for a solo practice session at SCG, as the entire Pakistan squad had a day off. 0, 4, 4, 6 & 25 have been Azam’s scores in the five matches in the Super 12 stage of the ICC T20 World Cup 2022. Azam is facing heat from all quarters as critics have questioned his role as an opener. By grinding in the nets for five hours, the Pakistan skipper is ready to give them a fitting response. Follow NZ vs PAK & ICC T20 World Cup 2022 Live Updates with InsideSport.IN.
It was no cricket activity day for Team Pakistan but kaptaan @babarazam258 came for practice. He is working hard support him in his hard times…. He will not disappoint you… pic.twitter.com/nSEH9ecHXD
— Mariya Rajput (@mariya_raj10) November 8, 2022
NZ vs PAK Live: Babar Azam gets ready to HIT critics for a SIX, opts for SOLO practice at SCG as the entire team takes a day off before semifinal clash vs NZ, Watch Video
NZ vs PAK Live: Azam getting out in the power play, opts to address the issue – In four of the five matches, the Pakistan skipper has got out in the power play. Only against Bangladesh Azam got to a start, but he failed to convert it into a big score. Worst, Azam has also eaten up balls and has not shown any intent whatsoever. The right-hand batter addressed the issue and was seen playing attacking shots in the training session at SCG.
Azam’s lean patch also promoted former Pakistan all-rounder Shahid Afridi to call for a change in the batting order. Afridi feels there should be power hitters at the top, and the Pakistan skipper should bat at three instead of opening.
“@babarazam258 We need firepower at the top with batters who are showing clear intent like Haris and Shahab. Plz consider Haris opening with Riz and you one down followed by ur next best hitter. You should be rigid on winning the match and flexible on a balanced batting lineup,” Afridi wrote.
Waqar Younis has come hard down at Azam and said, the Pakistani skipper is not flexible when it comes to batting. Younis opined the opening batter should give chance to young players if he is not firing.
“Sometimes, as a captain and as a leader, you leave your spot and say, Haider, if it is not working out for you in the middle order, I will give you the easier spot (opening) and we never tried that out, and that is why we are suffering. And we also lose because of the way they score runs. To become No.1 and No. 2 (in T20I rankings) is not a big deal, the important thing is to win after scoring those runs,” Waqar further added.
NZ vs PAK Live: Babar Azam gets ready to HIT critics for a SIX, opts for SOLO practice at SCG as the entire team takes a day off before semifinal clash vs NZ, Watch Video
NZ vs PAK Live: Why Babar Azam has opted for a solo practice session?
- Azam has not looked at his fluent best in batting-friendly pitches in Australia.
- The Pakistan skipper has not got his eye in four of five innings and looks tentative against pacers in power play.
- With Mohammad Rizwan also not a aggressive batter, Azam feels he needs to take more onus.
- Power-hitting is one aspect Azam wanted to focus on, and that’s why he opted for a solo practice session.
Pakistan batting mentor Matthew Hayden has backed Azam to come out of the form slump. The southpaw feels the Pakistani skipper can have a similar impact as Adam Gilchrist had in the 2007 ICC Cricket World Cup final. Gilchrist struggled for runs in the league stages of the 50-over World Cup before knocking Sri Lanka in the finals with a blazing century.
“There’s no question Babar has been under some adversity but that will only make him an even greater player,” he said.
“We know with the weather that when there’s a lull, there’s often a storm that follows, so look out rest of the world because I think we’re about to see something very special from Babar.”
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