‘Be Strong…’- Mohammad Yousuf Comes Out In Support Of Babar Azam

image-lqp7qe7tBabar Azam (AP Photos)

Pakistani cricketer Babar Azam is facing huge criticisms as the ace batter has failed to make any significant contribution with the bat yet in the ongoing Test series against Australia down under.

The ex-Pakistani Test skipper has managed just 36 runs in three innings so far, including a single-digit score (1 off 7) in the ongoing boxing day Test at Melbourne. After restricting Australia to a 318-run total in the first innings, the men in green started off well with the bat, having lost only 2 wickets with 124 on the board.

However, Babar, who walked out at 4, failed to make any difference and exposed Pakistan’s fragile middle order. Following that, Pakistan lost momentum at a critical stage of the test match and eventually conceded a 54-run first-innings lead.

Pakistan is already 1-0 behind in the three-match series as they lost the opening Test at Perth, where Babar could only score 21 and 14 in his two innings. As a result, cricket fans across the globe have scrutinized Babar as the 29-year-old continues to fail to rise to the occasion under difficult circumstances for his side.

Amid all the criticisms, former Pakistani cricketer Mohammad Yousuf came out in support of Babar Azam, extending a heartfelt message to the Lahore-born cricketer. Yousuf, who is currently serving as the head coach of Pakistan Men’s U-19 team, took to his X (formerly Twitter) account and urged Babar to stay strong in these difficult times.

“Be strong now because things will get better, it might be stormy now, but it can’t rain forever,”  Yousuf wrote.

Noticeably, Babar has been out of form with the bat for some time now. Ever since his innings of 151 runs against Nepal in the Asia Cup back in August, it all went down the hill for Babar the batter.

His shortcomings with the bat also led to Pakistan’s poor ODI World Cup campaign where they failed to make it to the semi-final and finished 5th in the points table.

With three more innings left, including the third Test in Sydney against Australia, Pakistan would be hoping their ace batter regain his form and contribute to what can be something for Pakistan cricket.