Salman Butt backs Babar Azam despite disappointing Champions Trophy performance: 'He may not be Virat Kohli, but...'

New Delhi: Babar Azam's recent struggles continue to cast a shadow over both him and Pakistan cricket. Once hailed as being on par with legends like Virat Kohli, Joe Root, and Steve Smith, Babar is currently battling to rediscover his form. Following Pakistan's disappointing exit in the group stage of the ICC campaign at home, uncertainty looms over Babar's future in the national team. Calls to drop him from the squad are growing louder, putting both the player and the Pakistan Cricket Board under intense scrutiny.

Amid the criticism, former Pakistan batter Salman Butt has come to Babar Azam‘s defense, arguing that he has contributed more to Pakistan’s success than any other cricketer in the past 20 years. “His Test average is 44.5 with 9 centuries and 26 fifties. In ODIs, he averages 56.72 with 19 centuries and 32 half-centuries. In T20Is, he has an average of 41 and a strike rate of 129. Can anyone name a single Pakistani player in the last 20 years who has surpassed these stats?” Butt stated while speaking on GNN HD News.

“Butt continued, stating, ‘The players who claim to be match-winners—combine their performances and see how many matches they have actually won. I believe a comparison is justified.'”

Salman Butt further acknowledged that while Babar Azam is not on the same level as Virat Kohli, he remains Pakistan’s best batter. He pointed out that Kohli also experienced a lean patch but continued to score fifties, benefitting from the support of players like Rohit Sharma and MS Dhoni, who could step up when needed. In contrast, Butt emphasized that Babar was let down by his teammates, as no one took responsibility during his rough phase, ultimately leading to the team’s poor performances and magnifying Babar’s struggles.

Butt continued, “Talk sense. You don’t have a Kohli or a Williamson. Babar is no Kohli, but he is the best we have. If he’s not scoring runs, he needs support. And when he is performing, even those who dislike him will have to acknowledge his contributions.”

He further argued, “Even Kohli went through a rough patch, but being a player of such high caliber, he still managed to score fifties during that phase. And look at the support he had—Rohit Sharma, MS Dhoni—big players, match-winners. Who does Babar have?”