Pakistan's Coach Backs Babar Azam Ahead of Tri-Series Final
Support for Babar Azam Amidst Recent Challenges
New Delhi [India], October 28: 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 insists there is no reason for alarm.
Pakistan faced their first loss of the tournament on Tuesday, suffering an eight-wicket defeat to Sri Lanka in Lahore. Babar managed to score 29 runs, but the team struggled overall, collapsing to just 110 runs against their rivals.
In the four innings of the tri-series, Babar has yet to achieve a half-century, accumulating a total of 118 runs. While he has made promising starts in each match, he has not been able to convert these into significant scores.
Despite this, Smith remains optimistic about Babar's performance, pointing to the team's unbeaten streak prior to Tuesday's match as a testament to their overall capabilities.
“There is definitely no cause for concern,” Smith stated, as reported by the ICC website. “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 solid starts into a big century, we wouldn’t even be discussing this. In elite international sports, it’s impossible to perform at peak levels every time. Those who truly understand the game can see how well he is striking the ball. We have complete confidence that a big score is on the horizon, and when it arrives, it will be a sight to behold,” he added.
During the match on Tuesday, pacer Dilshan Madushanka dominated Pakistan's batting lineup, achieving an impressive five-wicket haul. His performance with the new ball and later in the innings was instrumental in Sri Lanka's victory.
While Smith acknowledged that the loss was not ideal preparation for the final, he emphasized that it would not influence the outcome of the title match on Saturday.
“That defeat will have no impact on the final,” Smith remarked. “In a tri-series of this nature against strong opponents, it’s rare for teams to remain undefeated. A setback is to be expected at some point. Losing a game before the final changes nothing. Ultimately, the final will depend on which team manages the pressure best on the day and executes effectively to claim the trophy,” he concluded.