New Delhi, Feb 9 (NationPress) Former coach of India, Ravi Shastri, alongside the ex-captain of Australia, Ricky Ponting, shared their thoughts on the fluctuating performance of Pakistan’s Babar Azam. They noted that the right-handed batsman seems to have lost some of his earlier strength.

Babar recently scored a commendable unbeaten half-century against Australia in the last match of a three-match T20I series ahead of the T20 World Cup. However, he managed only a modest 15 runs off 18 balls in Pakistan's narrow victory against the Netherlands in the tournament's opening game.

Ponting expressed concerns that Babar appears to lack the power he once had to capitalize on the middle overs during an innings. He questioned whether Babar is fulfilling the right role for his team.

“Scoring just 15 runs off 18 balls means you're not only putting pressure on yourself but also on your batting partner. That player realizes they need to step up and score boundaries. Babar should aim to hit boundaries early on—ideally, two in his first six balls—because if he waits too long, the game's momentum could shift significantly,” Ponting remarked during The ICC Review.

Shastri echoed these sentiments, indicating that the weight of Babar’s reputation might be adding even more stress to his performance. “At this juncture in his career, there’s an expectation to deliver. In your first five balls, regardless of getting out, you should strive to hit a couple of boundaries. Position yourself well and anticipate the bowler's strategy to feel more at ease and potentially alter your performance,” Shastri advised.

In the T20 World Cup opener, Babar batted at the No. 4 position, which, according to Ponting, intensifies the pressure. He suggested that Pakistan might consider moving Babar back to his usual spot at No. 3.

Ponting remarked, “It seems like he’s lost some of his power and ball-striking capability, struggling to clear the boundary when facing spinners.”

“Initially, I supported him at the start of the tournament… a high-profile player in a major event… Pakistan needs Babar Azam at his best if they hope to advance in this tournament,” he added.

Ponting suggested, “I would contemplate batting him at No. 3. The sooner he enters the game, especially during the powerplay, the better it will be for him. If he’s indeed lost a bit of power, then the conditions need to favor him. Having only two fielders outside the circle will be advantageous.”

“The players following him are quite powerful as well, allowing them to take advantage of the middle overs with spinners and fielders placed out. They face a significant decision regarding whether to retain him or not,” he concluded.

Shastri added, “Questions will arise. He’s an exceptional player… we know he possesses the experience to adapt swiftly, but he must do so quickly because the middle overs are a crucial phase in T20 cricket. Time is a luxury he cannot afford unless conditions heavily favor the bowlers.”