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'When Virat Kohli Was...': Former Pakistan Great Suggests Break For 'Out of Form' Babar Azam

image-lqw0jvtzBabar Azam (AP News)

Former Pakistani spinner Mushtaq Ahmed has suggested that Babar Azam should take a break from cricket to rejuvenate and rediscover his top form, drawing parallels with Indian cricketer Virat Kohli's successful comeback strategy. 

Kohli faced a challenging period from 2020 to 2022, struggling with his batting average and managing only two centuries in 83 games. However, strategic breaks post IPL 2022 contributed to Kohli's resurgence in 2023, where he emerged as the second-highest run-scorer with over 2,000 runs and an impressive average of 66.06.

In an interview with Cricket Pakistan, Mushtaq Ahmed highlighted Kohli's approach as a blueprint for Babar Azam, urging the management to advise the Pakistani captain to take a rest. Mushtaq emphasized that breaks are essential when players are mentally disturbed, and Kohli's example demonstrates the positive impact of such breaks on a player's form and mindset.


Here's what he said:

"Across the world, we provide coaching, and when we realize a player is mentally disturbed, we give them a break of 2 or 3 matches," Mushtaq said. "When Virat Kohli was out of form, he took a break, and since then, he hasn't faced the same struggles. The management should have taken ownership and advised Babar to take a rest."

"Babar has given outstanding performances, and he is our hero. He is considered one of the top players in the world. However, he faced challenges such as losing the Asia Cup, the World Cup, and subsequently losing the captaincy amid rumors and difficulties," Mushtaq added.

Babar Azam's recent struggles include a challenging phase in the Asia Cup and the subsequent World Cup, leading to him relinquishing the captaincy in all formats. Mushtaq acknowledged Babar's outstanding contributions but stressed the need for a break to overcome recent challenges. 

Since his remarkable 151 against Nepal in the Asia Cup opener, Babar has gone 16 innings without a century, ending 2023 with an overall average below 40 for the year. Mushtaq Ahmed's advice reflects a concern for Babar's mental well-being and long-term success in international cricket.