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Pakistan cricketing legend Zaheer Abbas slammed Babar Azam who is going through a lean patch of his career in the ongoing Pakistan Super League (PSL) 2025. During Peshawar Zalmi's campaign opener against Quetta Gladiators, he was dismissed for a duck by left-arm pacer Mohammad Amir. In the match against Islamabad United, he returned to the pavilion after scoring just one run. This time, he was dismissed by Australia's left-arm pacer Ben Dwarshuis.
Zaheer Abbas believes that the reason behind Babar Azam's lean patch is going because he might stem from either an unwillingness to seek advice from senior players or a possible ego issue. He also cited the example of Younis Khan, Pakistan’s leading Test run-scorer, who regained his form by consulting with former Indian captain Mohammad Azharuddin.
“I think either Babar has an ego issue or is too shy to seek advice from his seniors in overcoming his current situation. I think in 2016 Younis Khan spoke to Muhammad Azharuddin and went on to score a double hundred in England,” said Abbas as quoted by PTI.
Meanwhile, Abbas also mentioned instances where Azharuddin sought his advice and Saeed Anwar consulted Sunil Gavaskar, emphasising the importance of mentorship in cricket.
“I also recall how Azharuddin had sought guidance from me on India’s tour to Pakistan in 1989-90. He was struggling to find runs and I told him to change his batting grip. Saeed Anwar sought Sunil Gavaskar’s advice,” added Abbas.
Babar's last international century came during the Asian Cup 2023 against Nepal. The former Pakistan captain was recently dropped from the national T20I squad after underperforming in ICC Champions Trophy 2025.
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