Former Pakistan international Salman Butt extended his support to Babar Azam despite a failed Bangladesh Test series. The 29-year-old's miseries did not seem to end in the recent two-match Test series against continental rivals.
Babar has only scored a solitary 50-plus score in his last ten appearances for Pakistan (12 innings). He had a lacklustre T20 World Cup 2024, and unfortunately, things did not improve in the longer format.
Despite harsh and arguably deserved criticisms, Salman Butt has defended Pakistan's white-ball skipper. The former Pakistan opener lauded Babar's abilities and contributions to Pakistan in the past. He posted a YouTube video on his channel where he backed Azam.
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What did Salman Butt say about Babar Azam as a batsman?
Salman Butt has backed Babar Azam despite the batter going through a rough patch. The 29-year-old is ranked No. 1 in the ODI men's batting rankings and is placed fifth in the T20I format. Butt has reminded the fans about the quality that Babar possesses in white-ball cricket.
"Is there any doubt that he has been the best player in Pakistan in the last four years? Pakistan don't play a lot of Test cricket, in white-ball cricket, he has been in the top three in both formats," Butt reminded.
In the interview, Salman Butt has challenged the critics to replace Pakistan's finest batter with someone better. He added, "He has scored the most runs and there's nobody else in the team near him. If you don't support the one who has been the standout performer and want him to be removed, what do you have? If you have someone better, bring him and make him play."
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What did Salman Butt say about Babar Azam's failures in Tests?
Salman Butt admitted to Babar Azam's failures in Test cricket. He is nowhere near the ICC men's Test ranking and also performed sub-par in the recent Test series against Bangladesh.
Butt continued, "Yes, I admit Babar hasn't lived up to the expectations in Test cricket. But is that the real concern? Babar is not doing well, replace him, but what are the others doing? Babar didn't score, but what about the others? When someone is scoring, everyone starts backing him. True backing is supporting someone in his downfall."
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