‘Enough is enough’: Former cricketer says time for Babar Azam to start scoring

Former Pakistan Test cricketer Tauseef Ahmed has said that “enough was enough” and he now wanted to see Babar Azam score runs.

Speaking to a private media outlet, Ahmed said that it was time for Babar to step up and play an important role in the national side’s wins.

He further said that it was easier for openers to score with just two fielders outside the 30-yard circle. “Fakhar [Zaman] plays attacking cricket and if he gets out, it is bad luck.”

However, he added, what happened to Saud Shakeel was a planned wicket.

Babar’s cousin and former Pakistan wicketkeeper-batsman Kamran Akmal, on the other hand, said that the star batsman put up an impressive display in recent matches with Pakistan outclassing South Africa in the tri-series.

He went on to talk about the recent changes to the batting order and said Babar Azam was among the best ODI batsmen out there. “He needs to play positively and focus on shot slections,” Akmal said and added that everyone wanted to see Babar scoring runs.

“It is not just about Babar’s performance but every player needs to take responsibility. If we improve our bowling, we can play brilliant cricket like New Zealand,” he concluded.

It merits a mention that the statements come after New Zealand crushed Pakistan owing to the national side’s lackluster performance in the tri-nation series ahead of the Champions Trophy.

Pakistan managed to win only against South Africa but lost both the opener and final of the series against New Zealand.

On Friday, New Zealand won the tri-series final by chasing down Pakistan’s unimpressive target of 242 for a loss of only five wickets and with 28 balls to spare.

The first powerplay was a portent for Pakistan's go-slow. The hosts played out 48 dots in the powerplay, in which they managed 48 for 2, and failed to hit a high tempo through the innings.

Babar Azam brought the Karachi crowd alive when he laced Jacob Duffy through the covers for four, and became the joint fastest to 6,000 ODI runs in his 123rd innings, alongside Hashim Amla.

He, however, returned to the pavilion after scoring just 29 off 34 balls.