T20 World Cup: ‘It’s not good for the game’ – Salman Ali Agha on India Asia Cup handshake
“If you’re 15 off 18 balls, you’re not just putting pressure on yourself, you’re putting pressure on the guy at the other end,” Ponting said in The ICC Review. “Babar has to hit boundaries early. He has to get out and go…otherwise the whole dynamic of the game changes every time he comes in.”Ponting went further, suggesting that Babar may have lost some of his signature power through the middle overs. “To me it looks like he’s lost a little bit of his power, his ability to hit the ball,” he said, pointing to a failed spin attempt as a worrying sign. Ponting defended Babar’s value as a big-match player, but was clear: “Pakistan need the best version of Babar Azam if they want to go further in this tournament.”
Vote
Do you think pressure affects Babar Azam’s performance?
Shastri echoed those concerns, but framed them around expectations and reputation. “When you’re at this stage in your career, there’s baggage,” Shastri said. “There’s a weight of expectation. People expect you to go out there and deliver.” He urged a more fearless approach even at the cost of early release. “In the first five balls… try to hit a few boundaries. You’ll feel a lot better and things can change.”Both experts also questioned Babar’s current role. Ponting floated the idea of pushing him back to No. 3. “The sooner he goes in… with just two players in the field would help him,” he said, adding that Pakistan’s power forwards could then dominate later on.But the most dramatic note came when the selection itself increased. “They have a big decision whether he stays or whether they let him go,” Ponting said, while Shastri warned: “Questions will be asked.”When Pakistan take on the USA in Colombo on February 10, Babar finds himself at a crucial moment.