Pakistan cricket icon Babar Azam faces career low, but Ramiz Raja backs him to rise again.
Babar Azam, once celebrated as Pakistan's star cricketer, is now in a challenging phase, facing criticism after a slump in his performance across formats. While Pakistan struggled to advance in the ODI World Cup last year and recently failed to make it past the group stage in the T20 World Cup, Babar’s lean streak with the bat has only intensified scrutiny.
However, former PCB President Ramiz Raja has faith in Babar’s talent and believes the cricketer still has what it takes to prove himself. Drawing a comparison to legendary West Indies batsman Vivian Richards, Raja emphasized that Babar should demonstrate his temperament and rise to the occasion in the red-ball format.
Ramiz Raja’s Call for a Viv Richards-Like Comeback
Speaking on his YouTube channel, Ramiz Raja encouraged Babar to aim higher in Test cricket. He acknowledged Babar’s impressive record in white-ball formats, where he maintains an average above 50 in both ODIs and T20Is, but said the batter’s true potential lies in Tests.
"Now he has to prove to the world with his temperament that he is Viv Richards," Raja said, emphasizing that Babar must step up in big moments just as Richards did. Raja added, “The bigger the contest, the bigger the innings Richards used to play.”
Babar’s Performance Slump in Tests
Babar’s recent form in Tests has been concerning. Over his last nine Tests and 17 innings, he has managed just 352 runs, averaging 20.71, with a top score of only 41. In his career spanning 55 Tests, Babar has scored a total of 3,997 runs at an average of 43.92, with nine centuries and a best score of 196. After struggling in the first Test against England, he was rested for the remainder of the series, where Pakistan clinched a 2-1 victory.
A Legend’s Shadow: Viv Richards’ Record
Vivian Richards, whom Raja wants Babar to emulate, is widely regarded as one of cricket's greatest. In his illustrious career, Richards scored 8,540 runs in 121 Tests at an average of 50.23, hitting 24 centuries and 45 fifties, with a high score of 291. Raja’s comparison sets a high bar, urging Babar to channel a similar resilience and impact on the game.
Babar Set for White-Ball Action in Australia, Rested for Zimbabwe Tour
Pakistan recently announced its 15-member squads for upcoming white-ball series tours to Australia and Zimbabwe. Babar will play against Australia in a three-ODI and three-T20I series starting November 4 but will be rested for the Zimbabwe tour later in the month.
The Australia series runs from November 4 to November 18, beginning with three ODIs and followed by T20Is. The Zimbabwe series will start on November 24 in Bulawayo and conclude on December 5 with three ODIs and three T20Is.
Can Babar Azam turn this rough phase around and live up to his potential? With the backing of cricket icons like Ramiz Raja, fans and critics alike will be watching closely as Babar aims to make his comeback.