Ricky Ponting has shared some seasoned advice for Pakistan’s star batter, Babar Azam, who’s been struggling lately in Test cricket. The former Australian captain thinks that Babar could benefit from a short break to refresh himself—a move that worked wonders for Virat Kohli.
Kohli, after all, took some time away from cricket, sorted things out, and came back blazing, scoring 765 runs in the 2023 ODI World Cup and being crowned Player of the Tournament. Ponting believes that a similar pause could help Babar regain his top form and confidence.
Ponting didn’t hold back when discussing Pakistan’s revolving leadership setup either. He acknowledged the recent appointment of Mohammad Rizwan as Pakistan’s white-ball captain, saying that while Rizwan’s fiery passion is great to see, it’ll take a few games to fully gauge his effectiveness as a leader.
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Could a Break Be Good For Babar Azam?
Since 2023, Babar’s Test average has taken a dip, sitting at just 20.7, which is miles away from the numbers we’re used to seeing from him. Pakistan’s selectors decided to rest him for a while, and now, with him back in the limited-overs squad, Ponting thinks a short break might actually be exactly what Babar needs.
Ponting explained it simply: sometimes, stepping away from the game allows players to reset. “Lock the kit bag away for a while, and think about something else,” he said. When players return from these mental breaks, they often come back recharged and more focused. It’s what happened with Kohli, and Ponting hopes Babar can experience the same revival.
The New Captain on the Block
As for Pakistan’s leadership, Ricky Ponting had some interesting insights on the new captain, Mohammad Rizwan. The wicket-keeper batter is known for his energy and commitment, and Ponting, like many fans, loves that he “wears his heart on his sleeve.”
Ponting thinks this emotional involvement could make Rizwan an impactful leader. However, he emphasized that a few more games are needed to judge Rizwan’s effectiveness fully. “They obviously feel he’s the right man for here and now,” Ponting noted.
Will Stability in Leadership Work for Pakistan?
Ricky Ponting acknowledged the downside of constant changes in Pakistan’s leadership, saying that stability is crucial to long-term success. “They’re willing to make changes until they find something that works,” he added. Pakistan is giving Rizwan a chance to settle into the role, and if things go well, he could bring much-needed stability to the team.
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The former Aussie captain admitted that it’s hard to judge Rizwan right now, but he’s optimistic about what the wicketkeeper-batter could bring to the table. Rizwan’s aggressive approach to the game, combined with his emotional investment, could just be the spark Pakistan needs to perform consistently on the world stage.
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