Virender Sehwag breaks silence on Pakistan dropping Babar Azam

Published - 20 Oct 2024, 10:51 AM | Updated - 20 Oct 2024, 11:01 AM

Virender Sehwag Babar Azam
Virender Sehwag Babar Azam (Image Credits: X)

Former India cricketer Virender Sehwag has backed Babar Azam to bounce back quickly from his poor form. Sehwag also feels that Babar has been impacted mentally more than technically in terms of his game.

Babar was recently dropped from Pakistan's team for the second and third Tests against England. It was a huge decision from Pakistan's new selection panel who made some bold decisions to bring Pakistan to winning ways.

Babar Azam's form has gone down in the last few matches. In Test cricket, the star Pakistan batter hasn't been able to cross the fifty-run mark since his last 18 innings. He was criticized for his performance and was finally dropped from the team.

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Virender Sehwag's golden advice for Babar Azam

While speaking on Shoaib Akhtar's YouTube channel, Virender Sehwag advised Babar Azam to go back to basics and concentrate on playing domestic cricket now. The former India batter wants Babar to spend some time with his family and return to international cricket as a mentally stronger player.

"Babar Azam should play domestic cricket now. He should work on his fitness, he should spend some time with family, then come back to international cricket as a physically fitter and mentally stronger player," Sehwag said on the channel.

Not only Babar Azam's batting form, his fitness has also been a cause of concern for some time. He is likely to go back to domestic cricket and will be aiming to make a strong comeback into international cricket.

Virender Sehwag backs Babar Azam "to bounce back quickly"

On the same platform, Virender Sehwag further mentioned that Babar needs to stay mentally strong during this tough time. He reckons that Babar has been affected more mentally rather than anything else. He further hoped Babar to bounce back quickly.

"With expectations from Babar decreasing and his resignation from captaincy, it seems he has been more impacted mentally than in terms of technique. He needs to stay mentally strong. He's a talented player, and players like him tend to bounce back quickly," Sehwag added.

Babar Azam's recent Test form

Babar Azam scored 64 runs in 2 Tests at an average of just 16 in the Bangladesh Tests at home. His poor returns were one of the reasons of Pakistan's shocking series defeat at home for the first time to Bangladesh.

Babar scored 30 and 5 across the two innings in the first Test against England before he was dropped. After dropping him for the final two Tests of the series, the PCB selection felt that he needed a break to return to form.

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