![Why Pakistan missed Babar Azam [Source: AP Photo]](https://onecricketnews.akamaized.net/parth-editor/oc-dashboard/news-images-prod/1742112138674_WhyPakistanmissedBabar.jpg?type=mq)
Why Pakistan missed Babar Azam [Source: AP Photo]
The loss was always on the cards and the inevitable happened as Pakistan crumbled under pressure and lost a one-sided match against New Zealand on Sunday. The Men in Green had an inexperienced playing XI against the Kiwis and it was reflected in their poor performance.
The side got bundled out for a paltry 91 and the home side chased it down inside 10 overs to take a 1-0 lead in the series. Interestingly, this was Pakistan's fifth lowest total in T20Is and it reminded fans of the importance of Babar Azam in the side.
He may not have a superior strike-rate in T20Is, but here are three key reasons why Pakistan missed Babar Azam in the first T20I.
His excellent record against the Kiwis
Babar Azam has terrific numbers against the Kiwis in their own backyard as the Pakistan batter relished playing against them. However, with him getting dropped, Pakistan allowed the home side to dominate the proceedings.
| Criterion | Data |
|---|---|
| Matches | 13 |
| Runs | 514 |
| 50s/100s | 6/0 |
| Strike-rate | 131.12 |
(Babar Azam T20I stats in New Zealand)
As the numbers suggests, Babar boasts stellar numbers and has 6 fifties in 13 T20I matches in the Kiwi land. However, without him, Pakistan batting lacked the cutting-edge and they got dismantled with ease. The star batter averages nearly 47 in New Zealand and his presence would have made ton of differences.
Babar wouldn't have let the collapse happen
Love him or hate him, but Babar is the glue of this team and he wouldn't have let the collapse taking place. These are the games where Babar steps up and his style of play in T20Is would have been suited in such circumstances where Pakistan lost 3 early wickets for almost nothing.
| Player | Runs |
|---|---|
| Mohammad Haris | 0 |
| Hasan Nawaz | 0 |
| Irfan Khan Niazi | 1 |
| Agha Salman | 18 |
| Shadab Khan | 3 |
(Scores of Pakistan top 5)
However, the inexperienced side crumbled under pressure as the Kiwi bowlers put the pressure on the young batters. As the numbers say, none of the batters in the top 5 delivered and only Agha Salman scored in double digits.
No quality player to deal with new ball
Pakistan's biggest weakness in the first T20I was their inability to deal with new ball. Kyle Jamieson made Mohammad Haris his bunny as him and Hasan Nawaz just failed to play the new ball bowlers.
This is where Babar comes into equation as he has the technique and the skills to gauge off the new ball and absorb the pressure which the youngsters couldn't.
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