How did Babar Azam fare as a captain in the World Cup? Babar Azam is widely regarded as one of the best batsmen in the world, and rightfully so. He has been consistently scoring runs in all formats of the game and has led Pakistan to some memorable victories. But how good is he as a captain? How does he handle pressure, tactics, and team management? How does he compare to other captains in the World Cup? These are some of the questions that this article will attempt to answer using data, statistics, and expert opinions.
Babar Azam became the captain of Pakistan’s limited-overs teams in 2019 after Sarfaraz Ahmed was sacked following a poor performance in the 2019 World Cup. Since then, Babar has captained Pakistan in 18 ODIs and 25 T20Is, winning 10 and 16, respectively. His win percentage of 55.55% in ODIs and 64% in T20Is is impressive, considering the challenges and uncertainties that Pakistan cricket has faced in recent years. He has also scored 1045 runs in ODIs and 1003 runs in T20Is as captain, at an average of 58.05 and 45.59, respectively. These numbers show that Babar has not let the burden of captaincy affect his batting form and has led from the front with his performances.
However, captaincy is not just about personal achievements but also about how well one can inspire and motivate the team, how well one can adapt to different situations and conditions, how well one can communicate and execute plans, and how well one can handle pressure and expectations. In these aspects, Babar has shown some strengths and weaknesses, which have been evident in the ongoing World Cup.
One of Babar’s strengths as a captain is his calmness and composure. He does not get flustered or frustrated easily and maintains positive body language on the field. He also does not shy away from taking responsibility and accountability for his decisions and actions. He has shown maturity and confidence in dealing with the media and the fans, and he has handled criticism with grace. He has also shown respect and appreciation for his teammates, coaches, and opponents, and has fostered a healthy team culture.
Another strength of Babar’s captaincy is his ability to lead by example with his batting. He has been Pakistan’s most consistent and reliable batsman in the World Cup, scoring 264 runs in five matches at an average of 66 and a strike rate of 136.84. He has played some match-winning knocks, such as his unbeaten 68 against India, his 70 against New Zealand, and his 50 against Afghanistan. He has also formed a formidable opening partnership with Mohammad Rizwan, which has given Pakistan solid starts in most of the matches. Babar’s batting has been a source of inspiration and confidence for the rest of the team and has set the tone for Pakistan’s successful campaign so far. His skills and temperament have earned him the admiration of many cricket legends, such as Ricky Ponting, who called him “one of the best players in the world” and “a very classy player”.
Another strength of Babar’s captaincy is his ability to lead by example with his batting. He has been Pakistan’s most consistent and reliable batsman in the World Cup, scoring 264 runs in five matches at an average of 66 and a strike rate of 136.84. He has played some match-winning knocks, such as his unbeaten 68 against India, his 70 against New Zealand, and his 50 against Afghanistan. He has also formed a formidable opening partnership with Mohammad Rizwan, which has given Pakistan solid starts in most of the matches. Babar’s batting has been a source of inspiration and confidence for the rest of the team and has set the tone for Pakistan’s successful campaign so far. His skills and temperament have earned him the admiration of many cricket legends, such as Ricky Ponting, who called him
“one of the best players in the world” and “a very classy player”
Another area of improvement for Babar’s captaincy is his communication and coordination with his teammates. Babar has sometimes appeared to be isolated or disconnected from his players on the field and has not consulted or involved them enough in his plans or decisions. He has also not been vocal or expressive enough to motivate or guide his players during crucial moments or phases of the game. He has relied more on his individual brilliance than on his collective leadership skills to influence the outcome of the matches.
In conclusion, Babar Azam is a talented and successful captain who has done a commendable job of leading Pakistan in the World Cup so far. He has shown some admirable qualities as a leader, such as calmness, confidence, responsibility, respect, and performance. However, he also has some areas for improvement as a captain, such as tactics, decision-making, communication, coordination, and innovation. He needs to work on these aspects to become a more complete and effective captain who can take Pakistan to greater heights in world cricket.