'India Ranked 2nd Best, Pakistan Ranked 2nd Worst': Former Australia Star Criticizes Fakhar Zaman's Comparison to Kohli, Questions Decision to Axe Babar

Former Australia spinner Brad Hogg has taken aim at those who have been drawing comparisons between Babar Azam's current struggles and Virat Kohli's rough patch in 2021 and 2022. Babar, who has failed to score a half-century in his last 18 Test innings, recently found himself left out of the Pakistan squad for the next two matches against England. Since the beginning of 2023, Babar has struggled to find his form, averaging just under 21 in nine Test matches. In the first Test against England, he appeared listless on a flat Multan track, scoring just 30 and 5. His recent performances on home soil have been particularly underwhelming, with an average of just 18.75 in his last eight innings. Hogg's criticism highlights the unique challenges that Babar is facing, and he emphasizes the need for patience and support during this difficult period in the talented batsman's career.

The PCB selection committee made some bold calls and dropped three-star players Shaheen Afridi, Babar Azam, and Naseem Shah after their underwhelming performances in the opening Test. Except for Babar, Pakistan has kept faith in the batting line-up that scored 556 and 220 in the first Test.

After his omission from the Test squad, several cricket fans and his fellow teammates came out in his support. Pakistan white-ball batter Fakhar Zaman even compared Babar's poor form with Kohli's rough patch.

However, Hogg has now rubbished the comparisons between the two and called them baseless. He pointed out that during Kohli's century drought, India was producing good results, which was not thecase with Babar.

"Comparing bad form between Babar Azam & Kohli after rumours the Pakistan legend will be dropped for the 2nd test v England is baseless. India: 2nd best win % during Kohli's draught. Pakistan: 2nd worst win % through Babar's. Hard decisions need to be made! #ENGvsPAK #IINDvAUS," Hogg wrote on X.

Earlier, Fakhar had questioned the decision to exclude Babar from the Pakistan squad in a social media post where he pointed out Kohli's average during his rough patch. The Pakistan batter faced backlash for his comparison of Kohli and Babar's rough patches.

“It’s concerning to hear suggestions about dropping Babar Azam. India didn’t bench Virat Kohli during his rough stretch between 2020 and 2023, when he averaged 19.33, 28.21, and 26.50, respectively.

"If we are considering sidelining our premier batsman, arguably the best Pakistan has ever produced, it could send a deeply negative message across the team. There is still time to avoid pressing the panic button; we should focus on safeguarding our key players rather than undermining them," Fakhar wrote on X.