Advertisement
Advertisement
Former Pakistan captain Salman Butt has thrown his weight behind star batter Babar Azam, insisting the seasoned right-hander still has a place in Pakistan’s T20I setup despite a recent shift in approach by the team management.
In a recent interview, Butt urged selectors and fans not to write Babar off too soon, citing his record and longstanding contributions to Pakistan’s white-ball cricket.
“Babar topped the ICC T20I rankings for three years and remains Pakistan’s highest run-getter in the format,” Butt stated.
“On the global stage, he’s only behind Rohit Sharma, by a small margin. That kind of consistency deserves respect.”
While acknowledging that Babar’s recent form hasn’t quite lived up to his usual standards, the former Test opener was quick to remind critics that even the best go through rough patches.
“Babar is still young. Yes, he’s not scoring the way we’re used to seeing, but that’s part of the game. Every top player faces such phases. What matters is how they respond—and I have no doubt Babar will bounce back,” he said.
Salman Butt also weighed in on the criticism Babar Azam often receives for his cautious starts in the powerplay, particularly in T20Is, defending his approach as a stabilising force in Pakistan’s top order.
“Strike rates dominate every conversation these days, but we forget the importance of consistency and composure. In tough conditions, players like Babar—who anchor and absorb pressure—become invaluable,” he noted.
While he welcomed Pakistan’s push for a more aggressive brand of cricket, Butt cautioned against sidelining experienced players before finding suitable replacements.
“If Pakistan builds a dynamic, attacking unit without Babar and [Mohammad] Rizwan, that’s fantastic. But until that happens and you have proven alternatives, it’s risky to let go of players who’ve delivered consistently over the years,” he concluded.
READ: Gary Stead to exit after seven years as New Zealand search for new coach
