Nasser Hussain has offered his insights on the cricketing prospects for Babar Azam, the former captain of the Pakistan cricket team, envisioning a promising 2024 for the talented player. In a video disseminated by the International Cricket Council (ICC), the former England captain shared his thoughts on Babar Azam’s decision to relinquish the captaincy.
Hussain articulated his belief that stepping away from the captain’s responsibilities could alleviate some of the burdens on Babar Azam, enabling him to channel his focus and energy more effectively into showcasing his batting prowess. In expressing this viewpoint, Hussain characterized the move as potentially liberating, suggesting that the weight of captaincy might have hindered Babar’s ability to fully unleash his batting skills.
The upcoming Sydney Test, scheduled to commence on January 3, 2024, is prompting contemplation within the management of the Pakistan cricket team regarding potential changes to their playing XI.
The focus of the strategic discussions revolves around the performance and inclusion of players for the third and final Test against Australia at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG). The management is actively considering the exclusion of opener Imam-ul-Haq from the squad, given his struggles in the preceding two Tests. Despite a notable innings of 62 in the first Test, Imam-ul-Haq’s overall contribution has fallen below expectations. His slow-paced batting style appears to be at odds with the dynamic approach sought by Pakistan’s evolving brand of cricket.
In the quest for a replacement, the team management is reportedly looking towards Saim Ayub, a young and promising batsman. If selected, this would mark Saim Ayub’s debut in Test cricket, adding a layer of anticipation to his potential inclusion.
Furthermore, the decision-making process is influenced by the pitch conditions at the SCG, renowned for providing favorable support to spinners. Consequently, there is contemplation about introducing a spinner into the playing XI. The preferred choice, contingent on regaining full fitness, is spinner Abrar Ahmed. However, in the event of Abrar Ahmed’s unavailability due to injury, Sajid Khan is poised to step into the spin-bowling role.
This strategic shift towards prioritizing spin could have ramifications for the pace-bowling department, potentially leading to the omission of Hasan Ali from the lineup. The decision underscores Pakistan’s adaptability to the specific conditions prevailing at the SCG, with the aim of maximizing their chances of securing victory in the upcoming Test.
As the cricketing world awaits the Sydney Test on January 3, 2024, the deliberations within the Pakistan cricket team management add an element of intrigue and anticipation to the forthcoming contest.
“I think it is a massive year for him [Babar] and Pakistan. He has given up captaincy, that may be the weight off his shoulders,” remarked Nasser.
Highlighting the pivotal role that Babar Azam plays in the team, Hussain underscored the significance of Babar’s contribution in accumulating substantial runs for Pakistan. According to Hussain, Pakistan is relying on Babar to deliver exceptional performances, particularly with a T20 World Cup slated to take place in the Caribbean. Drawing attention to Pakistan’s previous T20 World Cup final appearance, Hussain emphasized the need for Babar, now an ex-skipper, to step up and deliver stellar performances.
The biggest thing he can do for Pakistan cricket is get a shed load of runs. They need him to get runs. There will be a T20 World Cup in the Caribbean. They got to the finals last time. They will need their ex-skipper to put in a real performance,” added Nasser.
In addition to discussing Babar Azam, Hussain extended his predictions to Virat Kohli, foreseeing a remarkable year for the Indian batting superstar. The former captain’s insights provide a comprehensive outlook on the expectations and potential trajectories of key players in the upcoming cricketing calendar.
