Pakistan batter Sohaib Maqsood has advised Babar Azam to resign as captain of Peshawar Zalmi, stating that the added pressure is affecting his batting performance. Speaking on his YouTube channel, Maqsood asserted that Babar’s current problems could be a result of public and fan criticism gone too strong.
“Babar smiles on the field, pretending he doesn’s not care, but the pressure is visible,” Maqsood remarked. His batting is suffering since Babar lacks great captaincy abilities and is “not a natural leader”. “If captaincy isn’t going well, it automatically creates pressure on performance.” he said.
Citing the continuous problems with the bat of the previous champions, Maqsood underlined that Zalmi requires Babar’s batting more than his leadership.
When Maqsood thought back on his experience playing alongside Babar, he admired his work ethic and discipline but pointed out his form had suffered.
” Six to eight months ago, getting him out in practice was tough, now, he gets out two or three times in sessions.”
He advised Babar to concentrate on his natural game and give off attempting to “prove someone”.
“You’re Pakistan’s biggest cricket star—you don’t need to prove anything,” Maqsood added. Test and ODI remain good ways to show his mettle even if the PCB rules him out of T20Is.
Apart from terming Maqsood the backbone of Peshawar Zalmi, he then advised Babar to play his “natural game” and practice hard to recover his lost form.
“Play your natural game; you have played for the past eight years in that manner. Work hard, get back in form, and believe your class; you are Zalmi’s backbone.
Babar Azam has so far participated two games for Peshawar Zalmi in the current Pakistan Super League (PSL). He went for a two-ball duck in the first game against Quetta Gladiators.
Having been dismissed for one and falling on just the third ball he encountered, his second outing against Peshawar Zalmi was equally letdown.
