Babar Azam: “The advice I’d give to any youngster who’s stuck in bad form is belief. You can motivate yourself for a few days but hard work and dedication needs to be there every day”
Image taken by: Bimal Mirwani
Pakistan star batsman Babar Azam has offered advice to young cricketers going through a rough patch, stressing that daily “hard work and dedication” are key to regaining form.
Babar himself endured an extended slump that even saw him dropped from Pakistan’s T20I squad.
However, the 31-year-old continued to put in the effort and has gradually worked his way back to form – highlighted by his first international century in more than two years when he struck an unbeaten 102 in Pakistan’s ODI series against Sri Lanka.
“The advice I’d give to any youngster who’s stuck in bad form is belief. You can motivate yourself for a few days but hard work and dedication needs to be there every day,” he was quoted as saying by ESPNcricinfo.
Azam did not take part in Pakistan’s recent T20I tour of Sri Lanka as he was involved in the Big Bash League (BBL). In 11 matches for the Sydney Sixers, he accumulated 202 runs, which included two fifties, at an average of 22.44 and a strike-rate of 103.06.
He has, however, been recalled for Pakistan’s upcoming three-match T20I series against Australia, which will be held in Lahore from January 29 to February 1.
Pakistan Squad for T20I series against Australia: Salman Ali Agha (captain), Abrar Ahmed, Babar Azam, Faheem Ashraf, Fakhar Zaman, Khawaja Nafay (wicketkeeper), Mohammad Nawaz, Salman Mirza, Mohammad Wasim Jnr, Naseem Shah, Sahibzada Farhan (wicketkeeper), Saim Ayub, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Shadab Khan, Usman Khan (wicketkeeper), Usman Tariq