Babar Azam gets advise from Sunil Gavaskar amid poor form
What's the story
Indian cricket legend Sunil Gavaskar has given some strategic advice to Pakistan's top-order batsman, Babar Azam.
The suggestion comes after Babar's underwhelming performance in the ongoing ICC Champions Trophy.
"If you ask me, I will tell Babar just one thing. Right now, his stance is quite spread out. If he can reduce the width between his feet," Gavaskar advised Babar on Basit Ali's YouTube channel.
Babar has scored just 87 runs across his two Champions Trophy outings.
Here's more.
Performance review
Babar's performance in ongoing Champions Trophy
Babar's recent outings in the Champions Trophy have drawn criticism as Pakistan failed to qualify for the semifinals.
He began on a promising note scoring 64 off 90 balls laced with six fours and one six (SR: 71.11) against New Zealand.
However, he flattered in the second game against India as after scoring just 23 runs off 26 balls (five boundaries), striking at 88.46.
Expert guidance
Gavaskar's detailed advice to Babar
Gavaskar further elaborated on his advice saying, "When your feet are spread out, then you face difficult going on back foot and front foot but when you are more balanced (with feet less wide), then you also gain a bit of height, while you are a bit down with feet spread out."
"If he tries to do this, then I believe the run-making ability he used to have will return," Gavaskar said, confident of Babar's potential for improvement.
Future prospects
Babar's upcoming challenge in Champions Trophy
Babar has a chance to respond to critics in Pakistan's final Champions Trophy match against Bangladesh on February 27.
As mentioned, this follows Pakistan's semifinal elimination after two consecutive losses.
The cricketing world will be watching closely as Babar walks up to the crease, possibly taking Gavaskar's advice in his batting strategy.
Meanwhile, the batter owns 123 runs at 30.75 against Bangladesh across four innings.
PAK-NZ recap
New Zealand tame Pakistan in ICC Champions Trophy opener
An all-round New Zealand side beat defending champions Pakistan in match number 1 of the Champions Trophy in Karachi on Wednesday. Centurions Will Young (107) and Tom Latham (118*) were brilliant.
Glenn Phillips scored a whirlwind knock as New Zealand posted 320/5 in 50 overs.
In response, Babar (64) and Khushdil Shah's (69) fifties weren't enough as Pakistan (260/10) suffered a big defeat. Here's more.
For NZ Will O'Rourke and Mitchell Santner bagged three scalps each.
IND-PAK recap
India claim their third win over Pakistan in Champions Trophy
India hammered Pakistan in the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy encounter at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium. The Men in Blue successfully chased down 242 after they bowled out Pakistan.
India's win was powered by ton-up Virat Kohli (100*) and Shreyas Iyer (56)
Earlier, Kuldeep Yadav and Hardik Pandya shared five wickets to derail Pakistan.
Notably, India now have three wins against Pakistan in the Champions Trophy.
Criticism
'Babar Azam is a fraud': Shoaib Akhtar after CT loss
Former cricketer, Shoaib Akhtar, has stirred controversy by calling ex-Pakistan captain Babar a "fraud."
The scathing attack came after Pakistan's six-wicket loss to India in the Champions Trophy.
Akhtar, on the show "Game On Hai," said, "We always compare Babar Azam to Virat Kohli. Now tell me who is hero of Virat Kohli? Sachin Tendulkar and he has scored 100 centuries and Virat is chasing his legacy."
Akhtar further questioned Babar's choice of cricketing hero, without naming any player.
Stats
Babar averages 55.50 in ODIs
With his score of 23 against India, the batter now owns 6,106 runs at an average of 55.50.
In 126 ODIs, he has managed a strike rate of 87.91, alongside 19 tons and 35 fifties.
Additionally, he boasts a high score of 158 which he smashed against England in 2021.
Notably, 1,597 of his ODI runs have come at home.
According to ESPNcricinfo, Babar owns the most ODI runs for Pakistan among active players and stands 11th overall.