Former Pakistan captain Salman Butt has defended star batsman Babar Azam, who faced heavy criticism for his performance in the Champions Trophy. Despite scoring 87 runs in two matches, Pakistan failed to reach the semi-finals, leading to criticism from former and current players who accused Babar of underperforming in key games. Butt, however, believes that Pakistan hasn’t produced a better player than Babar in the last two decades.
Butt highlights Babar’s stats: a Test average of 44.5 with 9 centuries and 26 half-centuries, an ODI average of 56.72 with 19 centuries and 32 half-centuries, and a T20I average of 41 with a strike rate of 129. He questions if any Pakistani player in the last 20 years has surpassed these numbers. Butt criticizes those who call themselves “match-winners,” suggesting a comparison of their collective achievements with Babar’s performance.
Butt deems comparisons between Babar and Virat Kohli, who has 82 international centuries (second only to Sachin Tendulkar’s 100), as irrelevant. While acknowledging Babar as Pakistan’s best player currently, Butt points out that Kohli always had support from players like MS Dhoni and Rohit Sharma when his own form dipped. Babar, according to Butt, lacked such backing.
‘Let’s be realistic. We don’t have a Kohli or a Williamson. Babar is not Kohli, but he is the best player we have. He needs support during periods of poor form. When he is in form, even critics have to praise him. Form slumps happen to everyone, even Kohli, but Kohli’s class allowed him to score at least 50s in tough matches. And he had Rohit Sharma and MS Dhoni – match-winning players – alongside him. Who supported Babar?’ Butt concluded.
Criticism of Babar and other senior players intensified after Pakistan’s early exit from the Champions Trophy.
Babar is expected to be seen next in action in the Pakistan Super League, starting on March 18.
