‘Need to give time to special talents’ - Babar Azam backs Pakistan youngsters to come good

Pakistan skipper Babar Azam has expressed his thoughts on the future of several youngsters in the national team, including the likes of Saim Ayub, Azam Khan, and Usman Khan. The skipper heaped praise on the youngsters and expressed his confidence in their abilities to perform at the international in the coming years. 

Talking about Saim Ayub, Babar highlighted the 21-year-old’s ability to transform the game in the powerplay but also acknowledged the youngster’s subpar performances in recent weeks. However, he added thatjust one good knock could get him out of his shell. 

"Saim is extremely talented. The way he changes the game in the first six overs is commendable. He's struggling but I feel he just needs one innings to get going. Sometimes you need to give some extra time to special talents like him. Hopefully, he will do well in the future," Babar said in the post-match press conference after the fifth T20I against New Zealand. 

I know that Usman has left so many things: Babar Azam

Talking about Usman Khan, Babar highlighted the plethora of challenges that the youngster is facing currently, but backed him to come on his own with proper support.

"See, you have to give margin. The thing about the Pakistan team is that there is pressure. I know that Usman has left so many things, so all of that would be in the back of his mind. But he has made every effort. Look, as a player, whenever you make a debut, you try to stabilize your innings after two innings, but the kind of intent he showed, which was also required from him,” Babar said.

Lastly, the Pakistan skipper opened up about Azam Khan, highlighting his unique playstyle, branding him as a different type of player than the rest of the squad. "We missed Azam a little because he is a different type of player. He is a game changer. You know that when he is standing, he can completely change the game," he concluded.