Karachi (finally chilling at home after the madness, but my timeline is still exploding with this Babar drama)
Yaar, seriously – what is going on with this Pakistan batting order?
We just smashed Namibia by 102 runs in Colombo to scrape into the Super 8. Sahibzada Farhan drops an unbeaten century (100* off 58, pure class), Salman Agha captains like a boss, spinners (Usman Tariq 4-fer, Shadab and Nawaz combined 7) run riot – Namibia all out for 97 chasing 200. Complete performance, morale boost, qualification secured. Should be celebration time, right?
But no. The big talking point everywhere – especially on Geo News' Sports Floor segment titled "Pakistan vs Namibia: Batting Order in Danger? - Babar Azam Under Pressure?" – is that Babar Azam didn't even get to bat. Padded up at No. 4, watched the whole innings from the dugout as Pakistan posted 199/3. Not out, did not bat (DNB). In a must-win game where we needed quick runs and NRR boost, the so-called "king" sat on the bench.
Let's call it what it is: this is a massive red flag. And it's not just one match – it's the symptom of everything wrong with how we're handling Babar and the batting lineup.
The Demotion Drama Continues
Babar started the tournament at No. 3 (his "natural" spot post-comeback), got demoted to No. 4 before this game amid whispers of benching him entirely (reports said PCB was considering dropping him and Shaheen for Namibia to "test bench strength"). Then in the innings itself, when wickets didn't fall early, they sent Khawaja Nafay ahead of him in the middle overs. Agha apparently made the call mid-innings – Nafay walked out instead. Babar stayed padded, never got a chance.
Why? Team posted a huge total without him. Farhan and openers fired, middle order accelerated. So technically "smart cricket" – why risk your big name if the job's getting done? But come on. In T20 World Cup, against a weak Namibia side on a good batting pitch, not giving your premier batter even 10-15 balls to find form? That's not strategy – that's avoidance.
Babar Under Real Pressure – And It's Self-Inflicted
Geo News and experts are asking: Is the batting order in danger? Is Babar under pressure? Yes – but not the way they frame it. The pressure isn't just on Babar to perform; it's on the management to stop treating him like a fragile brand asset.
- His confidence is shot after the India flop (those clueless shots, low strike rate in recent T20WCs).
- He's been shuffled around: opener, No. 3, No. 4, now watching from sidelines.
- The "king kar de ga" narrative we keep ranting about is crumbling – when the team succeeds without him, it exposes how much we've over-relied on him.
- And PCB/marketers still want his face for visibility, but the coach/captain clearly don't trust him in crunch moments anymore.
This isn't about benching Babar permanently – that's knee-jerk. But sidelining him mid-innings in a high-stakes game? It screams doubt. If he's not trusted to accelerate or anchor when needed, what's his role? Token senior player? Sponsor magnet?
The Bigger Mess in the Batting Order
This Namibia game highlights the real danger: no fixed batting order, no clear roles.
- Farhan opens and smashes – great, keep him there.
- Salman Agha at 3 as captain – working.
- But then juggling Usman Khan, Nafay, Shadab – and Babar left hanging.
No consistency means no rhythm. We win big one day (without Babar batting), lose big the next (with him failing). Until we settle a proper lineup based on form, not fame or fear of backlash, we'll keep yo-yoing.
My Take – Harsh but Honest
Babar is still world-class when in form – but right now, he's struggling, and the team is adapting around it. That's progress in a way (team-first finally?). But the way it's happening – demotions, mid-innings overrides, public speculation – is killing confidence and creating drama.
PCB, Salman Agha, Hesson: sort this out before Super 8. Define roles clearly. If Babar needs time at nets or a mental reset, give it. But stop the half-measures that make him look like a liability. And fans/media: stop crowning "kings" – celebrate the team win, not question why one guy didn't bat.
We qualified – massive. But if batting order chaos continues, Super 8 will expose us again.
What do you think? Should Babar be restored to No. 3? Or is it time for fresh faces to lead? Drop comments below – let's debate without the usual hype.
(Clip from Geo News Sports Floor is viral – search "Babar Azam under pressure Geo News" on YouTube for the full discussion.)
Murtaza Moiz
@MoizMurtaza
CricSphere Blog
No comments:
Post a Comment