Sohail Tanvir Supports Babar Azam Amidst Recent Challenges
Babar Azam's Burden of Expectations
In Dubai, former Pakistani fast bowler Sohail Tanvir has expressed his support for star batsman Babar Azam, who is currently facing significant pressure due to the lack of another top-tier batter in the team. Tanvir believes that this expectation is weighing heavily on Babar, especially after the batter ended an 83-innings drought for centuries across formats in November 2025 with an unbeaten 102 against Sri Lanka, which remains his last international hundred.
Once celebrated as one of the premier batsmen globally and often compared to India's Virat Kohli, Babar has struggled with his form in recent years. His last Test century was recorded in December 2022, when he scored 161 against New Zealand, marking over three years without a three-figure score in Test matches.
Babar's vulnerabilities were highlighted during Pakistan's 3-0 Test series loss in England, where he faced challenges against fast bowlers and short-pitched deliveries at venues like Lord's and Edgbaston.
Tanvir noted the parallels between Babar's current struggles and Kohli's past lean phase, emphasizing that Kohli had established players around him to share the load. He stated, "Babar is under immense pressure because he lacks a supporting cast of comparable talent. Unlike Kohli, who had players like Rohit Sharma and KL Rahul during his tough times, Babar stands alone as the only elite player in our lineup."
While acknowledging the talent of other Pakistani batters, Tanvir pointed out that they have yet to consistently perform at the highest level, leaving Babar to shoulder the nation's expectations. He remarked, "The weight of the nation’s hopes rests heavily on Babar, especially when he is not in form, making it incredibly challenging for him."
Despite these challenges, Tanvir remains optimistic about Babar's potential to return to form, highlighting his critical role in the national team. He stated, "Babar is a top-quality player, and I believe he will bounce back. If a few other batters can rise to his level, it will ease the pressure on him significantly."
Tanvir also discussed Pakistan's recent difficulties in producing world-class fast bowlers, attributing this decline to a lack of emphasis on red-ball cricket. He believes that prioritizing long-format games is essential for developing complete fast bowlers.
Reflecting on his own career, Tanvir shared how returning to domestic red-ball cricket helped him grow as a bowler, even when he was primarily seen as a white-ball specialist. He stated, "Throughout my career, I always returned to red-ball matches whenever possible, as they taught me the fundamentals of bowling effectively."
Having debuted internationally in 2007, Tanvir noted that the most significant improvements in his bowling came from the experience of bowling long spells in first-class cricket. He concluded, "If our current fast bowlers commit to red-ball cricket, they can elevate their game significantly. They possess the talent, but neglecting long-format cricket has contributed to their decline."