 "Babar Azam receives technical advice from Sunil Gavaskar amid mixed form in Champions Trophy: 'If he can reduce...'")
The Pakistan cricket team has been bombarded with criticism ever since their defence of the Champions Trophy ended with back-to-back defeats against New Zealand and India in the group stage. The Men in Green began their campaign with a 60-run loss against the Black Caps in Karachi last Wednesday, which was followed by a six-wicket defeat against arch-rivals India in Dubai on Sunday.
Champions Trophy 2025: News | Schedule | Results | Points Table
Star batter Babar Azam hasn’t been exempted from the criticism despite his mixed form, which included a knock of 64 against New Zealand. While the innings against the Mitch Santner-led side was criticised for being exceedingly slow, Babar came under fire for his inability to convert a positive start against India four days later.
Gavaskar advises Babar to reduce gap between feet
Amid the criticism, Babar has also found support from some quarters. Speaking to ex-Pakistan cricketer Basit Ali, Indian batting legend Sunil Gavaskar offered Babar some technical advice in order to regain the kind of form that had made him one of the top batters of the modern era and earned him comparisons with Virat Kohli.
“If you ask me, I will tell Babar just one thing. Right now, his stance is quite spread out. If he can reduce the width between his feet, then two things will happen: One, when your feet are spread out, then you face difficulty going on back foot and front foot but when you are more balanced, then you also gain a bit of height, while you are a bit down with feet spread out,” Gavaskar told Basit in a video that was posted on the latter’s YouTube channel.
“So you can judge the bounce and movement of the ball a bit better when you are more upright. And an opening batter needs that height. If he tries to do this, then I believe the run-making ability he used to have will return, and the whole world will enjoy that, not just the Pakistanis,” he added.
Impact Shorts
More ShortsBabar is currently opening in the absence of young batting sensation Saim Ayub, who had been ruled out of Champions Trophy as well as the preceding ODI triangular series involving New Zealand and South Africa due to an ankle injury.
And among the trending discussions on social media is whether Babar – who is a lot more accustomed to the No 3 slot when it comes to the 50-over game – has been able to fill the void at the top of the order or not.
The former Pakistan captain, however, will be hoping to silence his critics with a big knock when Pakistan face Bangladesh on Thursday in what will be the final match of the Champions Trophy for both teams.
 "Russian drones over Poland: Trump’s tepid reaction a wake-up call for Nato?")
 "As Russia pushes east, Ukraine faces mounting pressure to defend its heartland")
 "Why Mossad was not on board with Israel’s strike on Hamas in Qatar")
 "Turkey: Erdogan's police arrest opposition mayor Hasan Mutlu, dozens officials in corruption probe")
 "Russian drones over Poland: Trump’s tepid reaction a wake-up call for Nato?")
 "As Russia pushes east, Ukraine faces mounting pressure to defend its heartland")
 "Why Mossad was not on board with Israel’s strike on Hamas in Qatar")
 "Turkey: Erdogan's police arrest opposition mayor Hasan Mutlu, dozens officials in corruption probe")
