PSL Coach Blames Pakistan Selectors For Babar Azam’s Poor Form

The former Pakistani off-spinner, Mushtaq Ahmed, has criticized the selectors and the members of their cricket board for the recent poor form of their former captain, Babar Azam, who has not been in the runs despite making a promising start to his career.

Recently, PCB dropped the veteran from the T20I squad during the five-match series in New Zealand, which they went on to lose by a 4-1 margin under Shadab Khan’s leadership. They continued the poor form even in the three-match ODI series with a defeat margin of 0-3.

Babar Azam has yet to celebrate an ODI century since 2024

Babar Azam enjoyed a fine time in 2023 in the ODI format. The right-handed batter nailed 1065 runs in 24 innings at an average of 46.30 and a strike rate of 84.66, scoring 10 half-centuries and two centuries.

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But the last two years have not gone as he anticipated. The 30-year-old smashed just 228 runs in six innings at an average of 57 and a strike rate of 76.51, thanks to two fifties at the best score of 73 runs. Pakistan enjoyed a great run with three successive away ODI series wins in Australia, Zimbabwe, and South Africa.

The year 2025 was very important for the Green Brigade as they faced New Zealand and the Proteas in a home tri-series before hosting the ICC Champions Trophy after nearly two decades. But Babar Azam again flopped with 278 runs so far this year in eight ODI innings at an average of 34.75, thanks to three fifties.

Mushtaq Ahmed tears apart selectors for Babar Azam’s recent struggle

The former Pakistani off-spinner, Mushtaq Ahmed, revealed that the selectors’ decision to steal captaincy from the Lahore-born and drop him from the T20I and Test sides mentally broke his confidence.

“I think, if I give a very honest answer to this question, then whatever has been going on with Babar Azam for the last two years, including losing the captaincy and increasing pressure, he is a human being at the end of the day,” Ahmed revealed in a recent interaction.

"Expectations are so high on him. And when you suddenly lose the leadership, the selectors drop you from the T20I side and rest from the Test team. I believe that due to the communication gap, his mental focus was disturbed, and that is my personal feeling.” The ex-Pakistan spinner addressed.

Babar Azam’s career average in the 50-over format is still over 55. He has notched up 19 centuries and 37 half-centuries at the best score of 78 runs.

Mushtaq Ahmed demands respect for Babar Azam

The spinner also elaborated that, including Babar Azam, the board members should look to treat and respect all the players equally, who are serving the country at the highest level.

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“In Pakistan, we should always communicate and manage the players rightly. There are other players like Babar whom we should treat equally. If someone is serving the country at the highest level and they meet failure, then one should make a decision respectfully.” Ahmed noted.

Pakistan were poor in the last T20 World Cup in the West Indies and the United States of America, where they failed to qualify for the super eight. Mohammed Rizwan became the white-ball captain of the side, but suddenly, after their debacle in the Champions Trophy 2025, the selectors dropped him from the shortest format.

These experienced players will be so vital for the side during the upcoming T20 World Cup 2026 in India and Sri Lanka.