Pakistani skipper Babar Azam practices alone in the nets ahead of the T20 World Cup 2022 semifinal against New Zealand in Sydney.
The rest of the team skipped the optional training session and rested ahead of the match. Meanwhile, Babar Azam reached the nets for batting practice. The video circulating on social media shows Babar Azam practicing hitting shots on fastballs. His fans believe Babar Azam is worried about his form and his practicing alone shows his dedication and determination.
Babar Azam has not been up to the mark so far in the T20 World Cup 2022. He has been struggling with his bat and scored runs in single digits in most of the matches. Babar Azam is facing pressure and criticism from former cricketers and cricket fans for not performing.
On a rest day for the Pakistan squad from the practice, Babar Azam was the only one to came out & hit the nets. Show's the level of commitment & eagerness to be back at his best.
Back him & he'll surely give you something special to cheer #BabarAzam𓃵pic.twitter.com/qyLI6l4pVF
— Team Babar Azam (@Team_BabarAzam) November 8, 2022
The once-feared opening duo of Babar Azam and Muhammad Rizwan have gone out-of-form in the crucial event. Babar Azam was seen hitting the nets, fans wish him success in the semifinal scheduled for tomorrow.
In the past few days, Babar Azam has faced blistering criticism from the cricket fraternity in Pakistan. Pakistani team mentor Matthew Hayden believes Babar Azam will play a magnificent knock in the semifinal against New Zealand. Hayden has compared Babar Azam to Australia’s Adam Gilchrist who had a bad patch during the 2007 World Cup but led the team to victory.
“There’s no question Babar has been under some adversity but that will only make him an even greater player,” he said.
Read more: Sri Lankan player Danushka Gunathilaka arrested on rape charges
“We know with the weather that when there’s a lull, there’s often a storm that follows, so look out rest of the world because I think we’re about to see something very special from Babar.”
“When the Netherlands beat South Africa it was a significant moment for us, a very significant moment for the team in general around reaching its potential,” he said on the eve of the semi-final in Sydney.
“Lots of prayers as Pakistan woke up to see that result, 232 million people can’t be wrong, and as a result of that, I feel there has been very much uplift in tempo in our group.
“It has been a roller-coaster… but I really believe we have yet to play our best game, which is a huge threat to the opposition,” said Hayden during a press talk.