Sadiq pinpoints flaws in Babar's batting

Former opener suggests technical adjustments to help Pakistan’s star regain form

KARACHI: Former Pakistan Test opener Sadiq Mohammad has identified several technical flaws in Babar Azam's batting, pointing to his early shot selection, footwork, batting stance and failure to judge deliveries outside off stump as areas requiring attention.

In an interview with The Express Tribune Sadiq, who also played county cricket for Gloucestershire, drew on his own experience of overcoming similar batting difficulties to offer Babar a series of technical suggestions. He believes adjustments to Test captain's stance, footwork and timing could help him rediscover his scoring touch.

Recalling how he overcame his own problems, Sadiq said he had struggled with dismissals in the third-slip, gully and backward-point areas during his county career. He discussed the issue with his elder brother Wazir Mohammad, who watched him bat in the nets at Birmingham and suggested technical adjustments.

Sadiq said the advice worked, as he went on to score a century in his very next innings against Warwickshire.

Identifying Babar's first problem, Sadiq believes the right-hander plays his shots too early, with the bat away from his body and his front left toe.

He also highlighted Babar's batting stance, which he believes makes it difficult for the batsman to judge the width of deliveries outside off stump.

According to Sadiq, Babar's back foot touches the off-stump line when he makes contact with the ball. This, he believes, allows bowlers to exploit the sixth-stump line with away-swinging deliveries, tempting Babar into chasing balls outside off stump.

Sadiq suggested that Babar change his guard from leg stump to fourth-leg stump and move his right back foot towards a position between leg and middle stump as the bowler approaches the umpire. He believes this adjustment would encourage bowlers to target the stumps rather than exploit the space outside off stump.

Another concern, according to Sadiq, is Babar's tendency to play the ball too early instead of allowing it to come closer to his body.

He believes this causes Babar's off-side shots to travel towards gully, third slip and backward point. Making contact around six inches away from his left-foot toe, Sadiq said, changes the bat's position from a closed face to an open face, resulting in sliced shots that travel behind square in the air rather than along the ground.

He also pointed out that Babar does not transfer enough body weight onto his front foot while driving, preventing him from directing the ball towards the front of square.

Sadiq further stressed the importance of watching the ball make contact with the bat, saying Babar's failure to do so is another reason his cover drives travel behind square.

On timing and contact, he advised Babar to make contact with the ball in front of his left front toe while playing on the front foot, keeping his back bent to ensure the ball travels along the ground. He said the same principle should apply when playing off the back foot, with contact aligned with the front-foot toe.

Sadiq believes regular practice in the nets, particularly with the suggested change in stance and foot positioning, could help Babar direct most of his attacking and defensive shots towards the front of square.

Despite identifying these shortcomings, Sadiq expressed confidence in Babar's ability to return to his previous form.

"Babar, in my view, you are still a very good batsman. I suggest you work on my tips, and you will be the same Babar again. For a world-class batsman like you, it should not be difficult to apply these changes in your next outing. Go out and get it right," Sadiq signed off.

Former Pakistan captain Mohammad Yousuf also wrote on X the other day that Babar should be sent to England and Australia to work on his batting flaws.

Sadiq also appreciated Yousuf saying former batsman’s suggestion is almost right, but he as an opening batsman has different suggestion.