“If you are playing for a fifty or your runs, you will get such results” – Gautam Gambhir questions Babar Azam’s approach after losing agianst

In a recent analysis of Pakistan’s performance in the 2023 World Cup against India, Gautam Gambhir expressed his viewpoint that Babar Azam’s somewhat passive and self-centered approach played a substantial role in Pakistan’s loss. During this particular match, Babar Azam contributed a 50 from 58 balls as the Pakistan team was bowled out for 191 runs after being asked to bat first in Ahmedabad.

In the match, Rohit Sharma’s team, India, easily chased down the below-par target with seven wickets and 19.3 overs to spare, extending their winning streak against their arch-rivals in World Cup history.

Gambhir, speaking during a discussion on Star Sports, voiced his criticism of Babar Azam’s approach, particularly during his 82-run partnership with Mohammad Rizwan.

Gambhir said “Babar Azam has been extremely timid. Two batters cannot bat the same way in a partnership, one of them has to take chances. If you are playing for a fifty or your runs, you will get such results.”

He highlighted a concern with the lack of aggressive batters in Pakistan’s current top order lineup.

“Babar Azam has scored a lot of runs for himself but it’s been Pakistan’s history that they have liked to bat aggressively at the start, whether it was Shahid Afridi, Imran Nazir or Taufeeq Umar, and they consolidate in the middle. However, here in the top three, there isn’t a single batter who can take on the opposition attack.”