Pakistan cricket is facing a severe crisis, with the national team’s recent 0-2 Test series defeat to Bangladesh at home being labeled as their worst performance in the longest format. One of the primary reasons for Pakistan’s struggles has been the underperformance of star batter Babar Azam.
Former Pakistan cricketer Basit Ali has advised Azam to get married, believing it will improve his performance. “Babar Azam, talk to your parents and get married. He will be a completely different man after that,” Ali said. “I know how a player feels when he is not performing well. I request Babar’s parents to get him to marry.”
Azam’s poor form has been evident in recent series. In the three-match Test series against Australia last year, he scored 126 runs at an average of 21. In the four T20Is against England before the T20 World Cup, he managed 68 runs at an average of 34.00. In the T20 World Cup, he scored 122 runs in four matches at an average of 40.66, but was criticized for his low strike rate of 101.66.
In the recent Test series against Bangladesh, Azam scored just 64 runs in four innings. Former cricketer Rashid Latif believes this defeat should serve as a wake-up call for Pakistan cricket. “This is a wake-up call for Pakistan cricket. They can’t go lower than this. Now, it’s the time to rise and open your eyes,” Latif said. “If you still don’t open your eyes after losing to Bangladesh, play Test series only against Nepal and Afghanistan.”
Azam’s struggles have raised concerns about his leadership and the team’s overall direction. Pakistan cricket is at a crossroads, and it remains to be seen whether Azam and the team can turn things around.
