Babar Azam Loses Form as Captaincy Weight Mounts
Waqar Younis argues the leadership role is draining Babar Azam's technical brilliance, leaving Pakistan ninth in the WTC.
Key points
- Waqar Younis warns that the Test captaincy is hurting Babar Azam's batting performance.
- Azam has not scored a Test century since December 2022, missing out on chances recently.
- Pakistan sits ninth in the WTC standings after a 3-0 defeat to England and an internal shake-up.
The dust from the Edgbaston pitch settles on a quiet anxiety. Babar Azam stands at the crease, the bat poised, yet the weight of the captaincy seems to pull at his wrists. It is a heavy burden for a man who once moved with such fluid grace. The silence in the stadium is not peaceful; it is expectant, waiting for a shot that refuses to arrive. The air feels thick with the pressure of expectation, a tangible fog that clouds the line between the batter and the ball.
Waqar Younis, a former captain who knows the toll of the role, sees this strain clearly. He warns that the team is effectively losing a player by placing the leadership mantle on Azam. The technical elegance that defined Azam’s early career is now fighting a war against the mental load of command. It is a subtle erosion, a slow dimming of the light that once made him one of the most complete batters in the world.
Leadership Burden Erodes Technical Brilliance
Younis argues that Azam takes too much on himself when given responsibility. The former Pakistan captain suggests that the pressure of leading the team distracts from the pure act of batting. Azam’s inability to fully back his teammates under pressure creates a disconnect that harms both the captain and the squad. It is a unfair dynamic, one where the captain feels isolated and the players feel unsupported. The result is a performance that lacks the confidence and freedom required to dominate.
The recent 3-0 defeat to England has only deepened this concern. The series was marked by internal turmoil, with the Pakistan Cricket Board sending seven players and two coaches home after the team fell 0-2 behind. Azam found himself at the center of the storm, criticizing the board for not consulting him on these decisions. This public friction has added another layer of stress to an already strained situation. The focus has shifted from the game to the politics, leaving the batter to fight two battles at once.
Century Drought Highlights Batting Struggles
The numbers tell a stark story. Azam has not scored a Test century in nearly four years. His last hundred came against New Zealand in December 2022, a memory that now feels like a distant era. He came close against the West Indies and again in the final Test against England, but the finish was always elusive. The runs that once flowed with ease now seem trapped, caught in the net of expectation and anxiety. The drought is not just a statistical gap; it is a symptom of a deeper struggle.
Pakistan’s position in the World Test Championship reflects this decline. The team sits ninth with just four points, a far cry from their previous heights. An 11-point deduction for a slow over-rate in the Birmingham Test further tarnished their record. The team’s performance has been inconsistent, with the leadership and batting both showing signs of fatigue. The pressure is mounting, and the need for a reset is becoming urgent. The next few series will be critical in determining whether Azam can reclaim his form or if the weight of the role will continue to hold him back.
Pakistan Camp Faces Internal Disarray
The shake-up in the Pakistan camp has sent shockwaves through the cricketing community. The decision to remove key players and coaches mid-series was seen as a drastic measure to salvage the team’s performance. However, the lack of communication with the captain has only exacerbated the tension. Azam’s public criticism of the board has drawn fire from former captain Wasim Akram, who questioned his loyalty to the team. The internal discord is now a public spectacle, damaging the team’s morale and focus.
As reported by The Times of India, the situation is at a crossroads. The Pakistan Cricket Board must decide whether to continue with Azam as captain or seek a new leadership path. The players need a clear direction and a stable environment to perform. The stakes are high, and the window for correction is narrow. The next few months will be decisive, as the team looks to restore its pride and place in world cricket. The pressure is on, and the weight of the moment is heavy.
