‘Babar Azam Is An Anchor, If Situation Demands Anchorship’: Misbah-ul-Haq Suggests Pakistan Skipper To Motivate From Outside Noise

New Delhi: Pakistan legendary skipper Misbah-ul-Haq suggested Babar Azam to motivate himself from the outside noise and he reckoned that mentally strong players take motivation from criticism. Babar is facing a lot of criticism since Pakistan lost in the Asia Cup and ODI World Cup 2023. He was even sacked from the captaincy but due to the team’s poor performance, he was again appointed as the skipper now fans are criticizing Babar for his strike rate in the T20 cricket ahead of the T20 World Cup 2024 which will be played later this year in June in USA and West Indies.

Babar is undoubtedly the most important batter for Pakistan in the marquee event in USA and West Indies. Misbah suggested Babar to bat a bit quicker. During a press room organized by the Star Sports, Misbah answered to a question on Babar.

Outside noises affects you somehow. However, great players who are mentally strong takes motivation from that (outside noises). And we saw that in Ireland, where he improved his strike rate. Hopefully, he bats like that. Teams basically requires that sort of an innings from him. If the situation demands anchorship, then he is an anchor.,” said Misbah.

Potentially you have to keep yourself at that level that you can hit at those 160-170 or 200 strike rates. It should not be the case if my team requires 200 and I will play at a strike rate of 130 and others will play aggressively. This will be most important thing for Babar.,” Misbah added, who scored 11,132 runs for the Men in Green.

Amid strike rate criticism, Babar played a superb inning against Ireland where he scored 75 runs off just 42 deliveries with an impressive strike rate of 178.57.

Pakistan Cricket Board yet to announce their sqaud for the World Cup they will reportedly announce their squad after 1st T20I against England which is scheduled to be played on May 22. Pakistan will play their World Cup opener clash against hosts USA on June 06 and they will face arch-rivals India on June 09 at 8 PM IST.