Mohammad Hafeez has raised doubts about whether Babar Azam deserves to be labeled a ‘great’ Pakistani cricketer. Hafeez expressed his reservations about Babar Azam being referred to as a great Pakistani player, stating that those who make such claims likely haven’t witnessed the true greats of the game, both from Pakistan and around the world.
Hafeez expressed his opinion during a television program in Pakistan, stating, “It’s not that his performances are subpar. As a cricketer, his performance is commendable, but the high expectations and comparisons placed on him are unjust. Within the current pool of Pakistani players, he is undoubtedly the best. However, comparing him to cricketing legends is unfair given the level of talent he possesses.”
He acknowledged Babar’s undeniable talent but emphasized that he has not yet attained greatness. “When he’s called a great Pakistan player, then I have doubts over it. Those who say that probably haven’t seen greats of the game – from Pakistan and around the world,” the former Pakistan batter said.
Hafeez also pointed out that Babar has significant milestones to achieve in his career and expressed concern about the burden of the “great” label, which can create immense pressure and lead to negative reactions when he faces challenges in major tournaments.
In a recent crucial ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 match on October 27, Babar Azam achieved his 31st ODI half-century (50 runs off 65 balls) against South Africa. Pakistan had suffered consecutive defeats against India, Australia, and Afghanistan, prompting calls for Babar to step down as captain. In response to the speculation regarding his leadership, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) issued a statement, urging fans to support the team’s comeback in the tournament.
Hafeez further provided his perspective on Babar’s captaincy, suggesting that the expected maturity and technical growth over the past three years have not been clearly observed.
He proposed that it’s a decision for Babar to make himself or for cricket board officials to consider relieving him of the pressure, allowing him to develop into greatness, or evaluating his ability to perform under the weight of high expectations. Meanwhile, as of writing this, the Pakistan cricket team is currently facing off against South Africa in the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023. Batting first, Pakistan were all-out for 270 runs and South Africa have scored 206 runs for the loss of 4 wickets.
