Ricky Ponting Analyzes Babar Azam's Form and Batting Position for Pakistan
Australian cricket legend Ricky Ponting has raised concerns about Pakistan's star batter Babar Azam, suggesting that he may have lost some of his power and ball-striking ability. This observation comes after Babar's performance in Pakistan's T20 World Cup opener against the Netherlands, where he scored 15 runs off 18 balls in a narrow victory.
Ponting's Critical Assessment of Babar's Recent Form
In a detailed conversation on The ICC Review with Ravi Shastri and Sanjana Ganesan, Ponting expressed his views on Babar's current struggles. "It just to me looks like he's lost a bit of his power, his ball striking ability," Ponting stated. He highlighted a specific instance where Babar failed to clear a spinner, indicating a decline in his aggressive capabilities.
Ponting emphasized the impact of Babar's slow scoring on the team's momentum. "If you're 15 off 18 balls, you're not just putting pressure on yourself, you're putting pressure on the guy at the other end," he explained. The former Australian captain stressed that Babar needs to hit boundaries early in his innings to avoid disrupting the game's flow.
Babar's Performance Leading Up to the T20 World Cup
Before the tournament, Babar's form was already under scrutiny. He scored 202 runs in 11 innings for the Sydney Sixers at a strike rate of just 103.06 and an average of 22.44. Ponting noted that his perspective changed after watching the match against the Netherlands, moving from defense to concern.
"I defended him at the start of the tournament ... but Pakistan need the best version of Babar Azam if they're going to go further in this tournament," Ponting remarked, underscoring the importance of Babar's contributions for Pakistan's success.
Recommendation for Batting Position Change
With Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha moving up to No 3, Babar has been batting at No 4. Ponting proposed that the team should consider returning Babar to his preferred No 3 position. "I would even think about batting him at No.3," he said, arguing that this would allow Babar to bat during the powerplay with only two fielders outside the circle, potentially aiding his recovery.
Ponting elaborated that having fewer fielders in the deep could help Babar if he has indeed lost some power. "The guys that are batting after him have got plenty of power anyway. They can take advantage of those middle overs with the spinners on and the fielders out," he added, suggesting a strategic reshuffle to optimize the batting lineup.
Broader Implications for Pakistan's T20 World Cup Campaign
Ponting's comments highlight a critical decision for Pakistan's think tank. "Pakistan have got a big decision to make: whether Babar stays in or whether they leave him out," he concluded, pointing to the high stakes involved. As Pakistan aims to advance in the T20 World Cup, Babar's form and position will be key factors in their strategy.
The discussion around Babar Azam continues to evolve, with experts and fans alike watching closely to see how Pakistan responds to these challenges in upcoming matches.
