Faisal Iqbal: “I don’t understand why he hides from playing domestic cricket? I think his confidence is very low and [he is] scared of getting out, that can be one reason he’s not playing domestic”
Image taken by: Bimal Mirwani
Former Pakistan cricketer Faisal Iqbal wants to know why batsman Babar Azam is hiding from domestic cricket.
He noted that Azam should play in the Quaid-e-Azam (QeA) Trophy, which is Pakistan’s first-class tournament, in order to regain his confidence and form.
Azam’s form has been highly turbulent for many months now and questions have been raised about how long his rough patch will continue.
Putting a theory forward, Faisal reckons the 31-year-old doesn’t want to play first-class cricket as he is “scared of getting out.”
“I don’t understand why he hides from playing domestic cricket? I think his confidence is very low and [he is] scared of getting out, that can be one reason he’s not playing domestic. He can never improve as [a] batter just only [playing] 1 odd innings in international cricket like this and struggle,” he said on X, formerly known as Twitter.
Azam was recently in action in Pakistan’s home series against South Africa and began by scoring 131 runs in two Tests, which included a top score of 50, at an average of 32.75.
He then proceeded to take part in the three-match T20I series and accumulated 79 runs, which included a top score of 68, at an average of 39.50 and a strike-rate of 117.91.
As for the ODIs, he finished with 45 runs in three games at an average of 15.
Azam is now playing in Pakistan’s three-match ODI series against Sri Lanka and made 29 runs in the 1st ODI.
After these ODIs are done, the men in green will compete in a T20I tri-series alongside Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe from November 17 to 29.
Pakistan squad for Sri Lanka ODI Series: Shaheen Shah Afridi (captain), Abrar Ahmed, Babar Azam, Faheem Ashraf, Faisal Akram, Fakhar Zaman, Haris Rauf, Haseebullah Khan, Hussain Talat, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Rizwan (wicketkeeper), Mohammad Wasim Jnr, Naseem Shah, Saim Ayub, Salman Ali Agha
Pakistan squad for Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe T20I Tri-Series: Salman Ali Agha (captain), Abdul Samad, Abrar Ahmed, Babar Azam, Faheem Ashraf, Fakhar Zaman, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Wasim Jnr, Salman Mirza, Naseem Shah, Sahibzada Farhan, Saim Ayub, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Usman Khan (wicketkeeper), Usman Tariq
Reserves: Haris Rauf, Sufiyan Muqeem