Virender Sehwag rips apart Babar Azam’s T20 style; warns Pakistan captain of losing his place if...
Published - 17 Jun 2024, 12:34 PM | Updated - 24 Aug 2024, 12:45 AM
Former Indian opener and cricket pandit, Virender Sehwag, was critical of Pakistan captain Babar Azam’s performance as an opener in the ICC T20 World Cup 2024. Sehwag has some harsh words for one of the best modern-era batters Babar after the Pakistan cricket team was knocked out of the tournament.
Sharing his views on Azam's playing style and its impact on the Pakistan T20I team, Sehwag pointed out that the right-handed batter is not a sit-hitting batter, especially against fast bowling. He said that the Pakistan skipper is not able to hit sixes standing right on the crease or blast some maximums on the covers.
Babar Azam's safe play hurting Pakistan: Virender Sehwag after Pakistan's T20 World Cup 2024 exit
The former Indian opener highlighted that Babar focuses on playing safe, grounded shots, which helps him deliver consistent performance, but at a lower strike rate, which is not suitable for the modern T20 format.
Virender Sehwag said on Cricbuzz Live: “I think Babar Azam’s style of play isn’t suited to T20 cricket. He is not a six-hitting player. He only hits six when he is set, especially against the spin. I haven't seen him using his feet to hit sixes against the fast bowling, or his sixes on the covers, or play big shots while standing. Playing big shots like a modern-era player is not his game. He plays the game on the ground. He plays safe cricket. That's why he performs consistently, but his strike rate is not as good.
Sehwag emphasized that, as the Pakistan cricket team captain, Babar needs to consider whether his style of play is beneficial for the team. He suggested that if Babar is not going to adopt a more aggressive approach, he should move down the batting order and promote a batter who can play big shots and score 50–60 runs in the first 6 overs to help the team put up a substantial score in T20I cricket.
Babar Azam will have to think about his game: Virender Sehwag
He added, “But if you are a leader, you have to think, Is this game right for my team? If he is not a six-hitting player, he should either bring himself down and send a batter up who can play big shots and aggressive cricket. Pakistan needs an opener who can hit sixes and score 50–60 runs on the board in the first powerplay. So, Babar is not that player. I think Babar will have to think about his game.”
Sehwag further warned that if Babar continues to play conservatively and Pakistan’s strategy does not adapt, they will struggle to compete effectively in T20I cricket. He expressed a critical opinion, predicting that Babar will lose his place in Pakistan’s T20I team if the leadership changes.
The commentator claimed that he is not a T20I player, and he should not be in the team for at least until he makes changes to his game to be in the race of the modern-era big hitters.
He signed off by saying, “If I use a harsh word if the captain changes, then Babar will not have a place in the T20I; he won't be able to fight or deserve a place in their T20I team. This is a harsh word. Because of his strike rate, his performance is not as good in the modern T20 cricket.”
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