South Africa vs Pakistan: Shoaib Akhtar slams Babar Azam for sticking with run-a-ball approach in T20 format

The second T20 International between Pakistan and South Africa at The Wanderers Stadium in Johannesburg saw the hosts producing a comprehensive show in all three facets of the game and emerging victorious by 6 wickets. One of the main reasons behind Pakistan’s loss was a horrific collapse of their batting line-up. 

Batting first, Pakistan got off to a torrid start as they lost both their opening batsman within three overs. The skipper Babar Azam, who came to bat at number three, showed his temperament and class as he held his fort at one end and started ticking the scoreboard slowly. 

However, no other batsman took the responsibility to score runs and Azam could also manage just 50 runs off 50 deliveries. Thus, Pakistan posted a below-par total of 140 runs which was easily chased by South Africa in 14 overs. The former Pakistan speedster Shoaib Akhtar seemed unimpressed with Babar Azam’s knock as he slammed him for scoring run-a-ball in the T20 format.

Speaking on PTV Sports, Akhtar reckoned that the team needs to keep a check on their batting style and strike rate in T20Is. He slammed the Men in Green captain saying that Babar should learn something from modern-day legends like Chris Gayle and Virat Kohli.

Babar is a great player but 50 runs off 50 balls, is not good enough: Shoaib Akhtar

Further, the veteran compared Azam’s innings with Aiden Markram who kept his calm in the run chase. Just like Pakistan, SA was also losing their wickets quickly but Aiden played a sublime knock of 54 runs off 30 deliveries to take the team home.

“Our batsmen need to think whether their style of batting and strike rate is good enough for this format. If you give 50 balls to Chris Gayle, Virat Kohli, or Aiden Markram, what will they do and what did Babar do? Babar is a great player but 50 runs off 50 balls, is not good enough.  You can’t go into your shell if wickets are falling at the other end. 

“Babar can compare his innings to Aiden Markram’s innings. Wickets were also falling when Markram was batting but he still continued to play his attacking cricket and scored 54 from 30. Babar is a star player so he needs to come forward and play attacking cricket.”