Former Pakistan pace bowler Sohail Tanvir has attributed Babar Azam’s recent difficulties in international cricket to an excessive burden of expectations placed on the batter, emphasising the absence of other batters of similar calibre within the team.
Babar Azam ended an 83-innings century drought in November 2025 by scoring an unbeaten 102 against Sri Lanka in a One Day International, which remains his last international hundred to date. He was once regarded among the world’s leading batters and often compared with former Indian captain Virat Kohli.
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However, Babar has experienced a challenging period, including a prolonged lean patch in Test cricket; his last Test century was 161 against New Zealand in December 2022, leaving him without a triple-figure score in the format for more than three and a half years. During Pakistan’s 3-0 Test series loss in England, his difficulties against fast bowling and short-pitched deliveries were further exposed at venues such as Lord’s and Edgbaston.
Speaking to ANI, Tanvir compared Babar’s situation
Speaking to ANI, Tanvir compared Babar’s situation with Kohli’s lean phase, noting that Kohli had established batters around him to share the responsibility. “I feel an excessive burden of expectation has been placed on Babar. You brought up Virat Kohli—being from India, you know he also endured a difficult lean phase that lasted at least a year to a year and a half. Every world-class cricketer faces that test,” Tanvir said.
He added, “The crucial difference in Babar’s case is the supporting cast. When Virat was going through his rough patch, he had Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill, KL Rahul, and several established performers around him. In contrast, alongside Babar right now, we do not see another batter of comparable stature. Babar Azam is essentially the sole player of that elite calibre in our team.”
Tanvir acknowledged Pakistan’s other talented batters but noted their inconsistent performances at the highest level, resulting in Babar shouldering the nation’s expectations. “We have other players, and they have talent, but they have not yet stamped their authority in that way. Because Babar stands alone, the entire nation’s expectations land directly on his shoulders. Carrying that colossal weight—particularly when your personal form hits a rough patch—is exceptionally difficult,” he said.
Despite recent challenges, Tanvir expressed confidence in Babar’s
Despite recent challenges, Tanvir expressed confidence in Babar’s ability to regain form and underscored his importance to Pakistan. “Babar is a high-quality cricketer, and I am confident he will bounce back. His scoring runs is critical for Pakistan. If three or four other batters around Babar step up to even a comparable level, things will become far easier for him,” he added.
Addressing Pakistan’s struggles in producing world-class fast bowlers, Tanvir attributed the decline primarily to a lack of red-ball cricket. “I believe the lack of red-ball cricket is the foremost reason. Our players (are) perhaps not giving red-ball cricket the priority it demands. Speaking specifically as a bowler, if you want to become a genuine, complete fast bowler, you must bowl long spells in red-ball cricket,” he said.
Reflecting on his own career, Tanvir noted that returning to domestic red-ball cricket helped him develop as a bowler, even during periods when he was considered a white-ball specialist. “Even in my career—whether in the latter stages or mid-career when I was labelled and deployed as a white-ball specialist—whenever I had the chance, I went back to domestic cricket and played red-ball matches. Red-ball cricket taught me how to bowl,” he added.
Tanvir, who debuted internationally in 2007, said
Tanvir, who debuted internationally in 2007, said the most significant improvement in his bowling came from the experience of regularly bowling long spells in first-class cricket. “Comparing when I started my international journey in 2007 to when I concluded my career, there was a day-and-night difference in my craft. Every single aspect of that craft was honed by bowling overs in red-ball cricket,” he said.
He concluded by expressing belief that Pakistan’s current pacers could regain top form by committing to long-format cricket. “If our pacers re-engage with red-ball cricket wholeheartedly, these very same bowlers can elevate their game. They are undeniably talented and skilful, but skipping long-format cricket is one of the decisive factors behind the dip,” Tanvir said.
Source: thenewsmill.com
