3 Reasons Why Babar Azam's Champions Cup Performance Is Crucial For Pakistan

Babar Azam form is crucial for Pakistan cricket (X.com)Babar Azam form is crucial for Pakistan cricket (X.com)

Babar Azam is the most popular cricketer in Pakistan, and in recent times, concern over his form has been the talk of the town. Under his leadership, Pakistan crashed out of the T20 World Cup 2024 in the group stage itself, and Babar's performance came under the scanner, with strike rate being a major issue. He was expected to get back to form in the longest format where he can take his team in home conditions, but the star batter failed in both the Tests against Bangladesh, which has intensified the debate around his form.

Also, to make matters worse, Babar Azam's poor form has collided with Pakistan's dismal performances in recent times, and in this context, the performances of Babar Azam in the Champions Cup hold great value for the better future of Pakistan Cricket. Babar Azam currently is the third leading run-scorer of the tournament and has scored a century as well, and if he manages to get runs in the playoffs, it would be a big boost for Pakistan cricket.  So, let's try to understand why Babar Azam's form in the Champions Cup is crucial for Pakistan.

Babar Azam - A Pillar Of Pakistan's Batting Line-Up

Babar Azam's form has been indifferent in recent times, but he still remains a quality batter and arguably the best batter in Pakistan. Over the years, he has scored runs in different conditions with great consistency and has played a big role in Pakistan's success. 

The right-handed batter has an average of 44.51 in Test cricket, while his average in ODI and T20Is is even better at 56.72 and 41.03, respectively. It shows the consistency he brings to the table, so if Babar manages to regain his confidence with big scores in the Champions Cup, he can win matches for his side. Also, Babar Azam was the leading run-scorer for Pakistan when England last came to their shores for a Test series. He scored 348 runs in 6 innings of that series, and Pakistan would need a similar effort from the right-hander if they want to end their losing streak in the home Test series.

Good Batting Form Will Bring Confidence Back In Babar's Captaincy

There are serious concerns over Babar Azam's leadership skills and future as Pakistan's captain. Earlier, too, his captaincy decisions were questioned, but Babar Azam was scoring runs at that point in time, so he had the confidence and backing from the management, which seems to be getting slimmer and slimmer with each passing game. 

Babar Azam
Test Average
ODI average
As Captain50.7960.76
As Non-Captain40.6354.17

Also, Babar Azam's average as a batter in ODI and Test cricket is better when he is the captain of the side. In the 35 innings, Babar Azam has been the captain of Pakistan's Test side; the batter has scored 1727 runs at an average of 50.79, while his average drops to 40.63 when he is not a Test captain. 

In ODIs, he has an average of 60.76 as captain, while just as a player, the right-handed batter averages 54.17. So, Pakistan are likely to get more runs from Babar Azam when he is the captain, so it is paramount for Pakistan cricket to get his confidence back and consistent runs in Champions Cup could go a long way in achieving that.

Babar's Success Directly Proportional To Stability In Pakistan Cricket

Every cricket team wants their best cricketer to lead the side, ensuring stability in the leadership. Pakistan, too, had similar plans when they made Babar Azam the captain of the side across formats. It went well initially, with Pakistan qualifying for the final of the 2021 and 2022 T20 World Cup, but poor returns in World Cup 2023 prompted PCB to go with split captaincy, and since then, there has been a lot of instability in Pakistan cricket with plenty of changes in team management and playing arsenal.

The Pakistan board is now trying its best to get the country's cricket back on track, and Babar Azam's return to form with the bat and probably as an all-format leader could well bring the stability and continuity Pakistan cricket needs.

Conclusion

So, despite cricket being a team game, a strong individual is highly valued, and if Pakistan's best player manages to use the platform of a domestic tournament like the Champions Cup to his advantage, it can solve plenty of problems in Pakistan cricket.