India backed Virat Kohli in tough times, but Pakistan is pulling Babar down: Saeed Ajmal-OxBig News Network

Former Pakistan spinner Saeed Ajmal has criticised the instability in Pakistan cricket, calling out the treatment of Babar Azam during his lean patch in international cricket. Ajmal cited the example of the support Virat Kohli received from Indian selectors during his slump and accused Pakistan cricket of making things worse for Babar.

In a candid assessment of the situation, Ajmal stated that Pakistan cricket would struggle to flourish if it continued to pull down its ‘only star’, Babar Azam. The off-spinner urged former Pakistan cricketers to refrain from contributing to the negativity surrounding their top players.

Babar has endured a rough patch since the 2023 ODI World Cup in India, where he managed 320 runs in nine matches. His struggles deepened in the T20 World Cup 2024, where Pakistan, under Babar’s captaincy, crashed out in the group stage. After stepping down as captain following the ODI World Cup debacle, Babar was reinstated as skipper just before the T20 World Cup. However, in the USA and the West Indies, he scored only 122 runs in four matches at a strike rate of 101.

Babar’s inability to deliver in high-stakes matches continued in the Champions Trophy, where he managed just 87 runs in two games. Pakistan, hosting a major ICC tournament for the first time since 1996, suffered an early exit, failing to secure a single win. They were knocked out in the group stage after defeats to India and New Zealand.

“Look at the way India backed Virat Kohli. His bad patch continued for a long time, but no one forced him to quit, and not many wanted him to leave. Meanwhile, Babar, who is undoubtedly one of the biggest stars of Pakistan cricket, is going through a lull, and everyone is busy pulling him down,” Ajmal told Sportstar.

“Aapke paas ek hi toh star hai (You have only one star). If you degrade him too, then how will your cricket survive? These are the big issues. Our former cricketers should keep their mouths shut,” he added.

In the wake of Pakistan’s Champions Trophy failure, Babar Azam has been dropped from the T20I squad for the tour of New Zealand, along with Mohammad Rizwan. However, both batters have been included in the ODI squad for the tour, which begins on March 16.

Ajmal emphasised that top players need support when they are struggling, not just when they are excelling.

“As a cricketer, one must understand that bad patches are part of a player’s career. You can’t play cricket the same way all your life. Even Sachin Tendulkar couldn’t score 100 runs in every match-he has been dismissed for a duck as well. He is a world-class player, but he too experienced lean phases.

“So, you have to show some patience. Cricketers give everything to the sport, and when the chips are down, they need that support. When he’s World No.1, he does not need backing-it’s during tough times that he needs it the most.”

Pakistan will play five T20Is and three ODIs in New Zealand from March 16 to April 5, before the Pakistan Super League gets underway.