Babar Azam Receives Support from Coach Ahead of Tri-Series Final

As Pakistan prepares for the tri-series final against Sri Lanka, batting coach Mike Smith has voiced his unwavering support for Babar Azam, despite the player's recent challenges in scoring. Following a disappointing loss to Sri Lanka, where Babar managed only 29 runs, Smith reassures fans that there is no cause for concern. He emphasizes Babar's ability to establish himself at the crease and expresses confidence that a significant score is imminent. With the final approaching, Smith believes that the recent defeat will not impact the team's performance, highlighting the importance of handling pressure in crucial matches. Read on for more insights into the team's dynamics and preparations for the title clash.

By Narendra Chaudhary Oct 28, 2026, 09:03 IST

Coach Supports Babar Azam Before Final Match

Mike Smith, the batting coach for Pakistan, has expressed his confidence in Babar Azam despite the player's recent difficulties in scoring big runs. As the team gears up for the tri-series final against Sri Lanka on Saturday, Smith reassured fans that there is no reason for alarm.

In their last match, Pakistan faced their first loss of the tournament, falling to Sri Lanka by eight wickets in Lahore. Babar was the top scorer for his team with 29 runs, but the overall batting performance was disappointing, with the team collapsing to just 110 runs.

Performance Review and Future Outlook

Throughout the tri-series, Babar has not yet achieved a half-century in four innings, accumulating a total of 118 runs. While he has shown promise in his innings, he has struggled to convert these starts into significant scores.

Despite this, Smith remains optimistic about Babar's abilities, pointing to the team's strong performance prior to their recent defeat. He stated, "There is absolutely no reason for concern. The most challenging aspect of batting is establishing oneself at the crease, and Babar is doing that with ease. If he had turned one of those promising starts into a big century, we wouldn't even be discussing this. In elite international cricket, consistent peak performance is unrealistic. Those who truly understand the game can see how well he is hitting the ball. We are confident that a big score is on the horizon, and when it happens, it will be a sight to behold."

Preparing for the Final Showdown

In the previous match, Sri Lankan pacer Dilshan Madushanka dominated the Pakistan batting lineup, taking five wickets and causing significant trouble with both the new ball and later in the innings as Sri Lanka secured their victory.

While Smith acknowledged that the loss was not ideal preparation for the final, he emphasized that it would not affect the outcome of the title match on Saturday. He remarked, "That defeat will not influence the final in any way. In a tri-series of this nature against strong opponents, it is rare for teams to remain unbeaten. A setback is to be expected. Losing just before the final changes nothing. Ultimately, the final will depend on which team manages the pressure best on the day and executes their game plan effectively to win the trophy."