Babar Azam’s Struggles Before ICC Champions Trophy 2025
Pakistan’s key batter Babar Azam has been struggling with a recurring weakness against incoming deliveries. His latest dismissal against South Africa’s Wiaan Mulder highlighted this issue again, raising concerns ahead of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. Addressing this flaw is crucial for Pakistan’s success in the tournament.
How Wiaan Mulder Exposed Babar Azam’s Weakness
In a recent match, Pakistan was chasing 353 runs in the tri-nation series. Babar Azam started with confident strokes, hitting boundaries early. However, in the seventh over, South African pacer Wiaan Mulder bowled a length ball outside off, which moved back in and trapped Babar lbw. A review confirmed the on-field decision, and he had to walk back early.
This pattern of dismissal has become a frequent issue for Babar. Since 2023, he has been dismissed lbw or bowled 22 times, the most among Pakistani players. His struggles against deliveries that move back into him continue to be a major concern.
Why Does Babar Azam Struggle Against Incoming Deliveries?
Playing Too Much on the Back Foot
Babar prefers playing off the back foot, which works well on bouncy tracks but creates problems on slower surfaces. Against bowlers who get the ball to seam or swing in, his backfoot reliance leaves him vulnerable.
Foot Movement Issues
When the ball moves in, his footwork is often slow, preventing him from covering his stumps properly. This results in frequent lbw and bowled dismissals.
Bowlers Are Targeting His Weakness
Opposition teams have studied his weakness and consistently attack him with deliveries that nip back in. This increases their chances of dismissing him early in the innings.
Babar Azam’s Struggles Since 2023
The statistics show a worrying trend. Among Pakistani players, Babar has been dismissed by lbw or bowled more than any other batter since 2023.
Most Bowled/LBW Dismissals by Pakistani Players Since 2023
| Player | Matches | Dismissals |
|---|---|---|
| Babar Azam | 21 | 22 |
| Mohammad Rizwan | 21 | 21 |
| Abdullah Shafique | 15 | 15 |
| Shaheen Afridi | 12 | 12 |
| Agha Salman | 9 | 10 |
This pattern raises concerns ahead of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. If Babar does not fix this issue, top bowlers will continue to exploit it.
How Can Babar Azam Overcome This Issue?
Improve Footwork
Babar must adjust his foot movement to counter deliveries that swing or seam in. A better stance and early foot placement can help reduce dismissals.
Technical Adjustments
Practicing forward defense and covering his stumps can help him counter in-swinging deliveries more effectively.
Training Against In-Swingers
Regular practice against bowlers who specialize in moving the ball in will sharpen his skills and help him adapt to challenging conditions.
Why This Matters for Pakistan in ICC Champions Trophy 2025
Pakistan relies heavily on Babar Azam as their batting anchor. If he continues to struggle against incoming deliveries, it could impact Pakistan’s chances in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. Fixing this issue is essential for both Babar and Pakistan’s success in the tournament.
Pakistan fans will be hoping their star batter works on his technique and delivers strong performances on the big stage.