Babar Azam, the captain of the Pakistani squad. Is expected to perform at his peak during the semi-final match against New Zealand in Sydney. According to team coach Matthew Hayden.
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Babar Azam’s recently bad run
Babar has only scored 39 runs overall in five games so far at the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup. For the Pakistani skipper. He has been a pillar of consistency for his team at the top of the order over the previous several years. The recent bad run of form has been somewhat of an oddity.
Prior to Pakistan’s match against New Zealand in Sydney, Babar was seen practicing in the nets, and Hayden offered words of support. Hayden was certain that Babar would soon find his touch as he joked about what advise he had for the batter in the nets and his worries about his form.
“We all know that in any given career, you have significant moments of ups and downs. And the challenges and the humps along the way, they cement you and your greatness, how you achieve under adversity. There’s no question that Babar has been under some adversity. That will make him not only an even greater player.”
Hayden stated.
Hayden, however, believed that the Pakistan captain will eventually burst out of his slump and provide a “great” performance.
“There’s lots of people that talk, but those of us that have been in the changing rooms with Babar and realise that cricket, when it’s all said and done, is a very difficult game. You can’t continue to keep on punching out hundreds and 50s and strike rates of 140-plus. There’s got to be moments in time where there’s a lull,”
Hayden added
“And as we all know about the weather, once there’s a lull, there’s often a storm that follows. So look out, rest of the world, because I think you’re about to see something very special from Babar,”
Hayden concluded.
Pakistan’s campaign has been quite up-and-down thus far, with losses to India and Zimbabwe followed by three straight victories against the Netherlands, South Africa, and Bangladesh to advance to the semifinals. They will encounter a difficult opponent in New Zealand, who has performed well thus far in the Super 12.
The two sides will face off on November 9 at the Sydney Cricket Ground, with the final on November 13 at the Melbourne Cricket Ground likely involving either England or India.
