![Babar Azam backed by Pakistan coach [Source: AFP]](https://onecricketnews.akamaized.net/parth-editor/oc-dashboard/news-images-prod/1793167741662_BabarAzambackedbyPakistancoach.jpg?type=hq)
Babar Azam backed by Pakistan coach [Source: AFP]
Babar Azam has been going through turmoil, with the Pakistan batter getting starts in the ongoing tri-series tournament but failing to convert them into big scores. His form is a major concern ahead of the final against Sri Lanka, but batting coach Mike Smith has backed the star player to deliver.
In the four matches so far in the tri-series ODI matches, Babar has yet to register a single fifty-plus score, has accumulated just 118 runs, and has failed to convert the starts into a big score.
Babar Azam backed by batting coach Mike Smith
In the last match against Sri Lanka, the star Pakistan batter scored 29 off 33 balls, and while he looked in ominous touch, the batter couldn’t get a move on as he was trapped LBW.
Experts have raised question marks over his match-winning ability, but Smith shows no concern as he believes a big score is right around the corner for the former Pakistan ODI captain.
"It is definitely not a cause for concern," Smith said.
"The hardest part of batting in cricket is getting established at the crease, and Babar is doing that effortlessly. Had he converted one of those solid starts into a substantial century, this would not even be a topic of discussion.
"We have zero doubt that a big score is imminent, and when it comes, it will be magnificent to watch."
Babar’s ODI decline, a genuine cause of worry for Pakistan
At one point in his cricketing career, Babar was at the top of the ODI pinnacle, even being the number-one-ranked batter. However, after the Asia Cup in 2023, things started to fall apart, and in the last three years, he has scored only a solitary ODI ton.
Since 2024, there has been a visible decline in his ODI stats, and he averages a mere 37, having scored 1015 runs in 30 ODI matches.
However, the biggest cause of worry has been his strike-rate in the 50-over format. In the same time frame (since 2024), he strikes at a mere 75.13, and while the other Pakistan batters have picked up pace, he hasn’t worked on his weaknesses.
Moreover, in 2026, the bowlers have figured out his inability to play short-pitched balls, and have started to use it more often to trap him.
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