The recent decision to drop Babar Azam from Pakistan’s squad for the second and third Tests against England has sparked discussions about the star batsman’s future.

Former Indian cricketer Virender Sehwag has weighed in on the situation, urging Babar to refocus his efforts on domestic cricket.

According to Sehwag, this break from international play could help the talented batsman regain his form and mental strength.

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Why was Babar Azam dropped from the team?

Babar Azam’s form has been a cause for concern, particularly in Test cricket, where he has struggled to cross the fifty-run mark in his last 18 innings.

In the two Tests against Bangladesh, he managed just 64 runs at an average of 16, contributing to Pakistan’s unexpected series defeat at home. His recent outings against England were no better, with scores of 30 and 5 leading to his exclusion from the team.

This significant slump in performance ultimately led to his omission from the team as Pakistan’s new selection panel took decisive action to rejuvenate the squad. 

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What advice did Virender Sehwag offer Babar Azam?

Speaking on Shoaib Akhtar’s YouTube channel, Sehwag offered advice for Babar during this challenging period. He suggested that Babar should engage in domestic cricket. He also highlighted the need for Babar to work on his fitness and spend quality time with his family.

“Babar Azam should play domestic cricket now. He should work on his fitness, he should spend some time with family, then come back to international cricket as a physically fitter and mentally stronger player,

Can Babar Azam bounce back in Tests for Pakistan?

Sehwag remains optimistic about Babar’s ability to bounce back from this setback. He notes that Babar can redirect his focus towards improving his mental and physical fitness and should recover quickly from this dip in form.

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“With expectations from Babar decreasing and his resignation from captaincy, it seems he has been more impacted mentally than in terms of technique. He needs to stay mentally strong. He’s a talented player, and players like him tend to bounce back quickly,” Sehwag added.