Babar\u2019s numbers have taken a hit over the last year. His ODI form \u2014 traditionally his strongest format \u2014 has suffered a noticeable decline. Since the start of the 2023 Asia Cup, he has averaged 42.90 in 25 games, bringing his career average down from nearly 59 to the mid-50s. If his knock of 151 against Nepal is excluded, that average dips further below 38.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
This series hasn\u2019t reversed the trend. He managed just 10 runs in the opening game against New Zealand, his innings dragging through the Powerplay while Fakhar Zaman flourished at the other end. Even in Pakistan\u2019s record chase of 353 against South Africa, Babar started well but was trapped in front for 23 by Wiaan Mulder. Rizwan, however, believes Babar is simply a victim of his own success.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cBabar has scored so many runs for Pakistan that we expect him to score a hundred in each game,\u201d Rizwan was quoted by ESPNcricinfo as saying. \u201cIf we don\u2019t judge him by those extreme expectations, you\u2019ll find he\u2019s still chipping in and contributing valuably for us.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Pakistan\u2019s wicketkeeper-batter admitted that Babar faces additional pressure due to his past exploits. While technical flaws haven\u2019t been glaring, the scrutiny on his every innings has intensified. \u201cAs a captain, I expect a lot more of him too because of all he has done in the past,\u201d Rizwan continued. \u201cThere is obviously an additional pressure because of it, and I\u2019m sure he feels that too. But if you look at his innings in South Africa, he is still scoring runs. It\u2019s not as if he has clear technical deficiencies, but he is still being tested. I am confident he\u2019ll come out of it.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Babar\u2019s form conundrum has been compounded by his recent promotion to opener in ODIs \u2014 a role he hadn\u2019t played in a decade. The experiment was prompted by Saim Ayub\u2019s injury and Abdullah Shafique\u2019s drastic loss of form. With the Champions Trophy looming, the jury is still out on whether Babar will continue at the top.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Rizwan explained the rationale behind the move: \u201cWhen Abdullah Shafique got out early in South Africa, Babar had to deal with the new ball anyway. He was coping with the seam and swing and enabling us to attack at the end. So, we thought why not go for our most technically solid player to open, rather than throwing someone else in at the deep end.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Babar\u2019s form conundrum has been compounded by his recent promotion to opener in ODIs \u2014 a role he hadn\u2019t played in a decade. The experiment was prompted by Saim Ayub\u2019s injury and Abdullah Shafique\u2019s drastic loss of form. With the Champions Trophy looming, the jury is still out on whether Babar will continue at the top.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
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