Former India coach Ravi Shastri and ex-Australian captain Ricky Ponting shared insights on Pakistan batter Babar Azam’s recent form. Despite a half-century against Australia, Babar struggled in the T20 World Cup opener against the Netherlands. Ponting expressed concerns about Babar’s power and role in the team, emphasizing the need for early boundaries to set the game’s momentum.
Shastri highlighted the pressure on Babar due to his reputation and urged him to make efforts to hit boundaries early on. Ponting suggested moving Babar to a more favorable batting position to alleviate pressure and maximize his performance. Both experts emphasized the importance of Babar adapting quickly in the crucial middle overs of T20 cricket.
Ponting recommended considering batting Babar at No. 3 to capitalize on the powerplay and field restrictions. He stressed the necessity for Babar to regain his power-hitting ability for Pakistan’s success in the tournament. Shastri echoed the sentiment, emphasizing the need for Babar to adjust swiftly to the game’s demands to make a significant impact.
