Former cricketer believes Babar ‘lost important credentials of batting’
KARACHI: Former Pakistan pacer Abdur Rauf on Friday lambasted star batter Babar Azam for his recent struggles in the Big Bash League (BBL) 2025, stressing that he has lost very important credentials of batting and is building more pressure on himself by playing shorter formats. Babar, who was roped in by Sydney Sixers as a direct signing for the ongoing cricket league, has had a rough start to his BBL career despite scoring a half-century against Sydney Thunder last week.
Besides an anchoring 58-run knock in the Sydney Derby, the right-handed batter registered single-digit scores in his other three appearances for the Sixers, with the latest being a seven-ball two against Melbourne Stars. His recent failure in the BBL drew stern criticism from former cricketer Rauf, who argued that he could not mend his mistakes by playing the franchise leagues before slamming his advisors. “He has lost lot of very important credentials of batting,” Rauf wrote on X, formerly Twitter.
“This is not the platform to mend your mistakes you are just building more pressure on yourself, your advisors are piece of s***.”If you continued like this how long you will survive.” Rauf, who represented Pakistan in three Tests, four ODIs and one T20I, then went on to advise Babar to work on his technique by playing longer formats, including county and domestic cricket, emphasising that it would also improve his “faults” besides relaxing his mind.
“Long format, county cricket or domestic first class cricket is the only platform for you to work on your technique, spend most of the time on the pitch, play long innings, then you will manage to improve your faults. It will not only relax your mind but also relieve stress from your body,” Rauf continued. “Why are you putting more pressure on yourself by playing short format and these leagues? “You have enough money to pass your life comfortably then why are you running after it and putting more stress on your mind and body that will lead you to ruin your career in the end. “What you are doing is sheer mistake that can cast your entire career.” Web Desk
