Azhar Mahmood Slams Former PAK Players For ‘Pulling’ Babar Down: ‘We Have Only One Superstar’

According to Mahmood, Babar is a shy person who has been through a lot. He also described the 31-year-old as the “only superstar” in Pakistan cricket at present.

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Azhar Mahmood blasts former players for pulling Babar Azam down. (Picture Credit: AFP)

Former Pakistan all-rounder and coach Azhar Mahmood has criticised former Pakistani cricketers and social media pundits for the way they treated Pakistan Test captain Babar Azam during a difficult phase of his career.

Mahmood, who worked closely with Babar during his stint with the Pakistan coaching staff, revealed that the star batter was “really down” after facing criticism from former players and social media experts while struggling for runs.

According to Mahmood, Babar is a shy person who has been through a lot. He also described the 31-year-old as the “only superstar” in Pakistan cricket at present and said people in the country are constantly pulling him down.

“He (Babar Azam) is very shy and has been through a lot. I spent a lot of time with him – around five months – when he was out of the team after the England series. He was really down because of the way he was being treated in Pakistan by former players and social media pundits,” Mahmood said on Sky Sports.

“We (Pakistan) have only one superstar, and we are constantly pulling him down,” he added.

Mahmood acknowledged that Babar still has areas of his game that need improvement but believes the batter struggles when he does not receive the respect he deserves.

“Yes, he has certain things to improve, but everyone does. I think he has matured now. When he is captain, he feels that he has more power and confidence, and he knows that he has to lead from the front. So, when he is captain, you can see those qualities coming out in him,” Mahmood said.

“If he is not the captain and nobody gives him the respect he deserves, sometimes he goes into his shell.”

Babar was dropped from Pakistan’s T20I squad for the Asia Cup last year but returned to the side for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026. However, he failed to live up to expectations in the 20-team tournament and was subsequently dropped again.

The right-handed batter is now part of Pakistan’s squad for the upcoming three-match Test series against England and will lead the visitors in the red-ball assignment. Mahmood believes Babar performs better when he is entrusted with leadership responsibilities.

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The current reporting does not directly state whether Babar Azam’s leadership will improve his performance. However, former Pakistan all-rounder Azhar Mahmood believes that Babar struggles when he does not receive the respect he deserves, suggesting that a respectful leadership environment could be beneficial.

Public criticism can significantly affect star cricketers, leading to them feeling “really down” and struggling with their performance. It can also impact their confidence and lead to stress, especially when combined with high expectations and financial investments. Some criticism can cross professional boundaries and become personal attacks, with organised online campaigns sometimes targeting players and their families.

Babar Azam could thrive if he receives the respect he deserves, as he tends to struggle and “go into his shell” when criticised. While he has areas to improve, like everyone else, ensuring he feels respected is important.

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About the Author

Harshit BishtSenior Sub-editor

Harshit Bisht is a sports journalist at CNN-News18, where he has been covering cricket, football, and major sporting events from around the world since July 1, 2024. Driven by a passion for storytelli…Read More

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Original source: https://www.news18.com/cricket/