Younis Khan’s Tough Love for Babar Azam: Time to Learn from Kohli?
Pakistan’s cricket captain Babar Azam has been under intense scrutiny lately, especially after a string of low-scoring Test innings. Former skipper Younis Khan didn’t hold back, criticizing Babar and the team for talking big off the field but failing to deliver results when it counts.
Main Concerns: Babar’s Form and Leadership
Younis Khan’s criticism wasn’t just for Babar but also other senior players. According to Younis, Pakistan’s players seem more focused on social media and image-building than actual performance.
Key Points from Younis’s Remarks:
- Babar’s recent form: No half-century in the last 16 Test innings.
- Team underperformance: Pakistan’s recent struggles are a big concern.
- Too much talk: “Humare players khelte kam, bolte zyada hai” (Our players talk more, play less).
Younis’s Key Message:
- Results come from on-field performance, not off-field talk.
Babar Azam vs. Virat Kohli: The Captaincy Debate
Younis Khan drew a direct comparison between Babar Azam and Indian cricket superstar Virat Kohli, highlighting how Kohli stepped down as captain to focus on his game.
- Kohli chose to quit captaincy on his own terms.
- His performance skyrocketed after focusing solely on batting.
- Kohli is now breaking records globally.
Younis’s Advice to Babar:
- Prioritize performance and leadership over everything else.
- Sometimes stepping back can lead to greater achievements.
Younis emphasized that players need to work on their fitness, performance, and leadership if they want to succeed at the highest level.
- Leadership comes with pressure, and players need to handle it wisely.
- Let the bat do the talking instead of relying on social media to prove a point.
Captaincy Drama: Will Babar Stay or Go?
Amid speculation about changes in the leadership team, there have been rumors of Babar Azam and Test captain Shan Masood being replaced. However, insiders from the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) have brushed this off as “kite flying” – nothing more than wild speculation.
- Gary Kirsten and Jason Gillespie, Pakistan’s white and red-ball coaches, have advised against hasty decisions.
- For now, it seems that Babar’s captaincy is safe, but it’s clear that the pressure is building.
FAQs:
1. Why did Younis Khan criticize Babar Azam?
Younis Khan believes Babar Azam and other senior players are too focused on their public image and self-promotion rather than performing on the field.
2. What comparison did Younis Khan make between Babar Azam and Virat Kohli?
Younis pointed out how Kohli stepped down from captaincy to concentrate on his form, which helped him break global records, suggesting Babar could follow a similar path.
3. Is Babar Azam going to lose his captaincy?
While rumors have circulated about changes in Pakistan’s leadership, PCB insiders have dismissed them, and Babar’s position appears secure for now.
4. What did Younis Khan mean by “khelte kam, bolte zyada hai”?
Younis meant that Pakistan’s players are more focused on talking and self-promotion than delivering results on the field.