Jason Gillespie and Former Chief Selector Show Support for Babar Azam
- Abeera Marium Siddiqui
- October 25, 2024
- 3:15 pm
- 28
- Sports
Babar Azam is under fire. Pakistan’s star batter has hit a rough patch, and critics are watching closely. His recent slip in form — including dropping out of the top ten in the ICC Test Batting Rankings — has sparked concerns across the cricketing community. After managing just 64 runs in four innings against Bangladesh and another 35 runs in the first Test against England, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) decided to bench him for the remainder of the series. While some see it as a necessary move, others argue that Babar deserves more support. Is this the right call, or did Pakistan act too fast?
PCB’s Bold Move: Dropping Babar Mid-Series
The PCB’s decision to bench Babar Azam took many by surprise. For years, he's been the backbone of Pakistan's batting lineup. But, after a series of low scores, the board replaced him with debutant Khurram Shahzad, who scored a century. This helped Pakistan secure a massive 152-run victory against England in Multan. The win was impressive, but it raised questions about whether it was the right move to drop a player of Babar’s caliber mid-series. The critics are split: was it time for a change, or did the PCB jump the gun?
Jason Gillespie’s Take: Confidence in Babar’s Return
Pakistan’s head coach, Jason Gillespie, isn’t worried about Babar’s slump. He firmly believes the batter will return stronger. “Babar is a fine player. I think he’s one of the best players in the world. And, yeah, he had a bit of a lean patch, but I don’t think many great players have never had a lean patch,” Gillespie noted. His support is clear; he doesn’t see this dip as anything more than a temporary bump in the road.
According to Gillespie, Babar’s work ethic and focus set him apart. “I’m very confident Babar will be back scoring a lot of runs for Pakistan in all formats,” he said, emphasizing that the 29-year-old’s meticulous preparation and discipline are essential for a comeback. For Gillespie, this slump doesn’t overshadow Babar’s future potential.
Iqbal Qasim’s Critique: Unrealistic Expectations for Top Players
Former Pakistan cricketer and chief selector Iqbal Qasim has a different view on the matter. He believes Pakistan’s expectations for Babar are too high. “Our mindset has become such that whoever is the top performer is made the captain,” he remarked, adding that once a player has a bad phase, “he is removed like a fly from milk.” Qasim suggests that Pakistan has become used to seeing Babar score consistently high and criticizes the impatience with his current slump.
Qasim’s take reflects a broader concern: Pakistan’s fixation on immediate results over long-term growth. He argues that this approach can harm even the most talented players. Citing examples of legends like Imran Khan and Javed Miandad, he points out that every cricketer faces lows, and the answer isn’t to discard them at the first sign of trouble.
Supporting Star Players Through Rough Patches
Qasim is vocal about the need to support players through slumps. “Babar has served as captain, reached a good position, and has been a top performer. He needed support; we should have played him, even if you removed him from captaincy,” he explained. “As a player, he deserves a spot. If you say he doesn’t deserve a spot as a player, that’s just unfair.” He suggests that cutting a player of Babar’s status sends the wrong message to the team and shakes up the stability Pakistan’s lineup desperately needs.
Babar’s Future Role: A Critical Element for Pakistan
Despite the dip, Gillespie sees Babar’s role as essential for Pakistan’s future. He trusts that Babar’s “huge role” in Pakistan cricket isn’t over. “He’s just too good a player. He works really, really hard on his game. He’s very precise with his preparation and what he needs to do to get ready,” Gillespie concluded. His confidence that Babar will regain his form shows that for the coach, this setback is just a momentary dip, not the end of the line.
Was It the Right Decision?
This decision to bench Babar has sparked debate. On one hand, it could serve as a wake-up call, encouraging Babar to regroup and refocus. On the other, dropping a player of his caliber, even temporarily, can send a tough message to both him and the team. Is it fair to expect constant top performance, or should Pakistan give its players more patience?
Should Babar Have Been Dropped?
In the end, the question remains: was it necessary to bench Babar Azam? While Khurram Shehzad’s debut century might have seemed to justify the move, Qasim and Gillespie highlight the bigger picture. The best players, they argue, need support in tough times, not just when they’re scoring big runs. Babar’s lean patch might have arrived at an inconvenient time, but for the coaches and selectors who understand the game’s rhythms, this period is a test of Pakistan’s commitment to its star players.
For fans and analysts, the next few matches will be crucial in seeing whether the PCB’s approach has lasting effects. But if Gillespie and Qasim have their way, Babar’s chapter with Pakistan cricket is far from over. The hope? That this phase becomes just a small footnote in a long, successful career.
