Imad Wasim fiercely defends Babar Azam, hits back at critics

Former Pakistan all-rounder Imad Wasim has come out in strong support of Babar Azam, urging fans and former cricketers to show greater respect for the star batter despite his recent struggles with the bat.

Babar endured a disappointing ODI tri-series campaign, scoring 118 runs in five innings at an average of 23.60 and a strike rate of 74.21. His performance included a duck in the final against Sri Lanka, while he failed to register a single half-century throughout the tournament.

Reacting to the criticism surrounding Babar, Imad questioned why the batter continues to face such intense scrutiny from Pakistan’s own cricketing community. He described him as one of the finest ODI players the country has produced, arguing that nearly a decade of consistent performances and achievements should not be dismissed because of a temporary loss of form.

Imad acknowledged that Babar’s performances and technique remain open to discussion but stressed that criticism should focus on identifying weaknesses and helping players improve rather than attacking their character or questioning their worth.

He also criticised individuals who, in his view, use cricket analysis to pursue personal agendas or attract public attention. According to Imad, Pakistan’s cricketing environment should encourage constructive debate while recognising the contributions of established players.