'Praise him sometimes instead of just criticising' - Tanveer Ahmed backs Babar Azam amid slump

Looking at Pakistan's recent cricketing struggles, former pacer Tanveer Ahmed has come to the defense of star batter Babar Azam, while simultaneously criticising the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB).

Babar has been facing intense backlash due to a prolonged slump in form. His last century came on August 30, 2023, against Nepal in the Asia Cup, and he has struggled to make significant contributions since then. The criticism increased following Pakistan's recent 10-wicket defeat to Bangladesh in the first Test in Rawalpindi.

Ahmed highlighted the growing tension between the players and the PCB, particularly targeting PCB chief Mohsin Naqvi for what he sees as unfair treatment of Babar. According to the former pacer, the board is using Babar as a victim for Pakistan's cricketing woes, including their winless streak in the ongoing World Test Championship cycle. 

"Social media par dekh kar aesa lagta ha jaese pakistan cricket sirf babar azam ney he kharab ki ha board ka tou koi kasoor nahi ha  kuch khuda ka khoof karo ager paise kamaney ka shok ha tou kuch babar ki tareef bhi karain na k sirf burai kar kay (Looking at social media, it seems as if Babar Azam alone has ruined Pakistan cricket, and the board has no fault. Have some fear of God. If you want to earn money, praise Babar sometimes instead of just criticizing him)," he wrote on X.

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Azam's last significant Test innings of 161 against New Zealand came in December 2022, and since then he has managed to score only 289 runs in his last 14 innings, averaging a mere 20.64. In the recent Test against Bangladesh, Babar's scores of 0 and 22 further fueled the criticism.