Misbah-ul-Haq Advises Babar Azam to Adapt Strike Rate for High-Pressure Chases

May 16, 2024 0 980

Former Pakistan captain Misbah-ul-Haq emphasized that Babar Azam must adapt his batting approach to match situations, particularly by increasing his strike rate when chasing high totals.

Former Pakistan skipper Misbah-ul-Haq’s recent remarks ahead of the T20 World Cup 2024 centered on Babar Azam’s need to tailor his batting strategy to match dynamics. Despite Babar’s undeniable batting finesse, questions linger about his strike rate adaptability in T20 cricket. Misbah’s counsel to Babar emphasized the potential necessity of striking at rates ranging from 160 to a blistering 200, a feat exemplified by Babar’s impactful 75 off 42 balls against Ireland.

Acknowledging Babar’s improved strike rate in recent games, Misbah stressed the criticality of reading match situations adeptly.

“We saw he (Babar) improved his strike rate against Ireland. Hopefully, he will bat like that when the team requires that sort of innings from him. If an anchor role is required, then anchor it. But you have to be potentially ready to play at 160-170 or even a strike rate of 200 if the team needs it. It will be an important thing for Babar to not bat at 130-140 strike rate if the team is chasing 200,” Misbah-ul-Haq said on the on the Star Sports Press Room.

Despite external criticism on his strike rate, Misbah also noted that elite players like Babar Azam use it as motivation.

“Outside noise does affect a player, but good players, who are mentally strong, top cricketers in the world, they take motivation from criticism. They write down those noises that yes, I have to answer them on the ground. Somehow, they take motivation from those voices and criticism,” he concluded.

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According to Pakistan’s pre-tournament schedule, they will engage in 12 T20Is, ending with matches against England. Placed in Group A alongside USA, India, Canada, and Ireland, Pakistan starts their campaign against the USA on June 6, with a highly anticipated showdown against India scheduled for June 9 in New York.