Former Test cricketer Rashid Latif has picked out what he thinks is a weakness in current captain Babar Azam’s batting.
The former wicketkeeper said that the margins are the area where Azam can improve significantly, pointing out that the chances of dismissal are higher in the area where the ball swings the most.
Babar Azam was dismissed for one run by Adam Milne in the third T20I against New Zealand on Monday at Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore.
“Babar and Virat Kohli face almost the same problem. Both of them do not take the entire foot forward and strike the ball with the body, rather than holding it upwards. Chances of dismissal are higher in the area where the ball swings the most.
Even when he [Babar] hit the last stroke to complete his century, the ball crossed over the gully point – so he needs to stay a little cautious in that area,” Latif said.
“Woakes, when he came here for the T20I series, worked on his bowling as well and quickly figured out that if the swing isn’t working, then transitioning it into a slower ball might help you in claiming Babar’s wicket,” he further added.
In Monday’s match, New Zealand, after winning the toss, decided to bat first and scored 163 runs after losing five wickets. In reply, Pakistan kept losing wickets at regular intervals but Iftikhar Ahmed’s fast-paced knock brought the men in green close to the target, eventually falling short by just four runs.
Pakistan are currently ahead in the series with a margin of 2-1.
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