Babar Azam is not a king, says Shadab Khan

Pakistan's all-rounder Shadab Khan shared his thoughts on Babar Azam being called a 'King' during the Geo News show Hasna Mana Hai.

When a fan asked if Babar Azam truly deserves the title 'King,' Shadab replied, "Babar is not a king; he's human. I think calling him a king puts extra pressure on him. We should keep things normal."

The host, Tabish Hashmi, reminded Shadab that Hassan Ali once called Babar "Bobzy the King." Shadab joked, "Hassan was wrong there. I even saw a meme suggesting we ask Hassan to say Babar isn't a king anymore so that Babar can perform freely."

Shadab added, "Babar never asked for the 'King' title, but this tag has added unnecessary pressure on him. Removing this tag will help Babar perform better."

He also explained that every player needs time to improve and that modern cricket demands consistency.

"Babar averages 50 with a strike rate of 130. If his average drops to 30, his strike rate will increase, but expecting him to perform in every match with a 170 strike rate is unrealistic," Shadab said.

He asserted that players should be given time to improve instead of facing constant criticism.

It merits mentioning that Shadab Khan is considered a strong contender for the squad for the Champions Trophy 2025.