KARACHI: Former Pakistan captain Waqar Younis has thrown his weight behind Babar Azam, describing the star batter as one of Pakistan cricket’s last superstars despite mounting criticism over his recent performances across formats.
Speaking on Unplugged, a podcast hosted by Indian journalist Shubhankar Mishra, the legendary fast bowler was asked to identify Pakistan’s last cricketing superstar. While Mishra suggested former Pakistan pacer Mohammad Amir as a possible candidate, Younis instead named Babar and fast bowler Shaheen Shah Afridi.
“Babar Azam is a superstar, Shaheen Afridi is a superstar,” Younis said.
However, Mishra challenged the assessment, questioning Babar’s record of match-winning performances, particularly against India. He also highlighted several Pakistani greats, including Wasim Akram, Shoaib Akhtar, Saeed Anwar, Inzamam-ul-Haq, Abdul Razzaq, Younis Khan, Mohammad Yousuf and Shahid Afridi, who made significant contributions to Pakistan cricket.
Younis remained firm in his support for Babar, arguing that the batter’s struggles are partly linked to the lack of other established performers around him in the national team.
According to the former Pakistan captain, the excessive reliance on one batter places additional pressure on Babar, making it difficult for him to consistently meet the expectations of supporters.
“The sad part for Babar is that he is alone. If there were four or five other big names alongside him, things might have been different, and there would have been less pressure on him,” Younis explained.
“If there is only one batter on whom the entire team relies, naturally the pressure on him increases,” he added.
Waqar Younis Compares Pakistan’s Current Batting to the 1990s
To strengthen his argument, Younis drew a comparison between Pakistan’s current batting lineup and the star-studded teams of the 1990s.
He pointed out that Pakistan previously possessed several recognised batters capable of delivering match-winning performances, whereas the present team has struggled to produce a similar depth of established batting talent.
“When you remember Pakistan’s team from the 1990s, you can name all six batters in the top order. But today, apart from Babar, how many Pakistani batters can you name?” he questioned.
Mishra countered by bringing up Indian batting legend Sachin Tendulkar, suggesting that he too had often carried the burden of expectations during his international career.
Younis, however, disagreed with the comparison, arguing that Tendulkar was never truly isolated in the Indian batting lineup.
He cited the support Tendulkar received from Sanjay Manjrekar and Navjot Singh Sidhu during the early stages of his career, followed by the emergence of established batters such as Rahul Dravid, Sourav Ganguly and VVS Laxman.
“S achin was never alone. Early on, he had Sanjay Manjrekar and [Navjot Singh] Sidhu Paaji alongside him,” Younis said.
High Expectations Have Added to Babar Azam’s Pressure
Younis also argued that Babar’s exceptional performances during the early stages of his international career contributed to the high expectations he now faces.
The Pakistan batter established himself as one of the leading players of his generation through consistent performances across formats. However, that reputation has also intensified scrutiny whenever he experiences a lean patch.
Drawing a parallel with India’s Virat Kohli, Younis noted how quickly public opinion can turn against established stars following a handful of disappointing performances.
“Babar’s issue is that he performed so well right from the beginning of his career that expectations became extremely high,” he said.
“If Virat Kohli fails in one or two matches, the whole country starts saying that he is finished,” Younis added.
His comments offer a different perspective on the debate surrounding Babar, suggesting that the scrutiny directed at the former Pakistan captain should also consider the team’s broader batting performance and its dependence on individual players.
Despite the criticism surrounding Babar’s recent form, Younis’s endorsement underlines his belief that the batter remains a major figure in Pakistan cricket and that the responsibility for the team’s results cannot rest on one player alone.
