Former Pakistan spinner Mushtaq Ahmed believes that Babar Azam, like Virat Kohli, should take a sabbatical to recover and rediscover his best batting form.
Kohli struggled from 2020 to 2022, averaging less than 40 across formats each season. Kohli also only has two centuries in 83 games throughout that period.
However, irregular pauses following IPL 2022 aided the former Indian captain’s return to top form in 2023.
With almost 2,000 runs at an average of 66.06 and eight centuries across formats, the 35-year-old ended as the second-highest run-getter.
Mushtaq, speaking to Cricket Pakistan, cited Kohli as an example for Babar to follow to break out of his rut
“We provide coaching all over the world, and if we notice a player is mentally disturbed, we give them a two or three-match break,” says the coach. Mushtaq elaborated.
“When Virat Kohli was out of form, he took a break, and he hasn’t had the same problems since.” Management should have taken responsibility and recommended Babar to take a break.
Following a scorching first half of the 2023 season, Babar Azam had a disastrous Asia Cup and World Cup. As a result, the 29-year-old was forced to renounce captaincy in all formats.
Babar has delivered exceptional performances, and he is our hero. He is regarded as one of the world’s best players.
However, he encountered hurdles such as losing the Asia Cup and World Cup, and then losing the captaincy amid rumors and difficulties, according to Mushtaq.
Babar has gone 16 innings without a century since his sparkling 151 against Nepal in the Asia Cup opener.
He has also only crossed 50 four times and finished 2023 with an overall average of less than 40.
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Skip the three Tests and concentrate on the forthcoming series – Babar Azam, according to Mushtaq Ahmed
Mushtaq Ahmed says Babar Azam should have been rested for Australia’s current three-match Test series.
Babar has struggled so far, collecting only 77 runs in four innings at an average of less than 20, as Pakistan falls 0-2 with one game remaining.
We often fail to recognize the importance of breaks in our society, Mushtaq continued. If I had been there, I would have advised Babar to take a break.
Skip the three Tests and concentrate on the forthcoming series.
If nothing occurs in the following Test or One-Day International, such a renowned player will abruptly fade and fall.
We frequently compromise major accomplishments for little successes. Babar needed a mental vacation since he was exhausted.
Following the final Test at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG), Pakistan will play a five-match T20I series in New Zealand, which will begin less than a week before the Australia series concludes.
Pakistan has not won a Test match in Australia since 1995-96 and has lost a humiliating 16 consecutive red-ball games.