Pakistani left-arm pacer Rumman Raees has suggested that Babar Azam should consider stepping away from T20 cricket and focus on ODIs and Test cricket.

 

Speaking on a podcast, Rumman stressed that Babar’s quality as a batsman remains unquestionable but said that a format shift could help him regain form and confidence.

 

“There is no doubt about his class and no doubt about his batting. But I feel that in T20 format, he should respectfully consider retirement and focus on ODI and Test cricket,” he said.

 

He added that performance issues in one format can sometimes impact others due to the demands of modern cricket.

 

“When a player’s performance drops in one format, it can affect other formats as well. T20 is very short and sharp, but its impact reflects on other formats too,” he noted.

 

Rumman further suggested that Babar should prioritise longer formats to rebuild rhythm and consistency.

 

“If we talk about Test performances, there is also a big gap there. I think, as a friendly suggestion, he should respectfully step away from T20 cricket and focus on the longer formats,” he added.

 

Despite recent debate on his T20 form, Babar remains one of the most prolific batters in the format.

 

He has played 145 T20 Internationals, scoring 4,596 runs at an average of 38.94 and a strike rate of 128.02. His record includes 3 centuries and 39 half-centuries, making him one of the leading run-scorers in T20I history.