Umar Akmal reveals his role in helping Babar Azam counter spin bowling

Pakistan batter Umar Akmal has made a surprising assertion about assisting star batter Babar Azam in overcoming his difficulties against spin bowlers.

Babar has been under scrutiny lately, primarily due to his struggles against spinners, with a significant number of his recent dismissals coming against spin bowlers.

Several former cricketers have expressed concerns about Babar’s limited shot selection against spin.

In light of these challenges, Umar Akmal, during a recent interview with a private TV channel, recounted a moment when Babar sought his advice on how to handle spin successfully.

“I distinctly remember when he was having difficulties with spinners, getting out around midwicket. He came to me and said, ‘Umar bhai, I’m having a bit of trouble,'” Akmal shared.

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“I asked him about his grip on the bat and suggested that when facing a spinner, he should adjust his grip and keep his eyes on the ball until it’s halfway to him. From there, he could choose to cut it or play a shot that wouldn’t go flat,” he added.

Babar Azam, who was once celebrated for his prowess against spinners with an impressive average of 82.1 through the end of 2021, has seen that figure drop to around 48 in the years that followed.

In 2023, he had a strike rate of 77.7 against spin, which decreased to 68.4 the next year. By 2025, his strike rate plummeted to just 60.3, and he has been dismissed 20 times by spin within his last 39 innings.

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