Babar Azam has become a target of criticism within the realm of Pakistan cricket, as his ongoing difficulties and failure to deliver significant match-winning scores have resulted in a prolonged period of underperformance for a player who was once regarded as one of the finest batsmen globally.

His poor form has continued into the domestic National T20 Cup in Pakistan, where he faced 17 balls but only scored 22 runs for the Lahore Blues in a chase of 172 against Karachi Whites. Babar has faced particular scrutiny for his unimpressive strike rate.

In light of the recent struggles faced by Pakistani batters, especially concerning his dismissals and challenges against spin bowling, Babar’s cousin and former national teammate, Umar Akmal, shared how he once offered him guidance regarding these issues.

"I clearly recall when he was having difficulties with spinners, frequently getting out around midwicket,” Akmal stated during a television interview. “He approached me and said, 'Umar bhai, I'm experiencing some challenges.”

Akmal explains technical change for Babar

Akmal elaborated on his recommendation for Babar to modify his grip, which could potentially enhance his scoring opportunities and improve his reaction time to deliveries.

"I inquired about his grip on the bat and proposed that when facing a spinner, he should modify his grip and maintain focus on the ball until it reaches the halfway point. At that juncture, he could determine whether to execute a cut shot or opt for a different stroke that wouldn't result in a flat hit," the former Pakistan wicket-keeper explained.

Babar has struggled with his form, having not scored an international century since August 2023, and he has not achieved a Test century in the past three years. His performance in recent ICC tournaments has drawn significant criticism, particularly during the ICC Champions Trophy, where he accumulated only 87 runs across two innings, including a lackluster display in a crucial match against India.

As Babar seeks to regain his form, he has experienced fluctuations in his selection for the Pakistan team and was omitted from the T20I squad currently in New Zealand, where the team is facing a 2-0 deficit in the five-match series. Nevertheless, he is scheduled to travel to New Zealand later this month for the upcoming ODI series, aiming to return to scoring form.

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