|| Desk Report ||

Pakistan's wicketkeeper-batsman Kamran Akmal has recently bashed at the people who have been criticising Babar Azam, citing that he needs support. He further added it's sad that instead of motivating one of their best batsmen, people were talking about his faults.

On the recent tour of England, Azam failed to do well as he could manage only 69 runs in three rain-affected Tests and 56 runs in the two completed T20I matches as well. While Pakistan lost the three-match series by 0-1, three-match T20I series ended in a draw.

"An even greater tragedy is that people have started to criticise our number one batsman, Babar Azam, saying that he isn't scoring runs at a fast-enough rate or isn't winning enough games," Akmal said in an interview to Pakpassion.net. "What is becoming of us? If we wish to improve things then instead of looking down on a player like Babar, we should spend our energy motivating him.”

"But once again, I feel that the team management needs to make sure that all players in the squad are looked after and given confidence instead of preferring to concentrate and spend energies on a select few who are their favourites," he added.

Babar Azam, who is the captain of the team in the limited-overs cricket, currently placed at fifth in Tests, third in ODIs and second in T20Is. Earlier, former Pakistan speedster Shoaib Akhtar had lashed out at the batsman as well.

"Babar Azam looks like a lost cow to me. He is out there, not knowing what to do. It is important for him to take decisions on his own so that it could help him become a better captain in the coming times," Akhtar said on his YouTube channel.

"Babar will need to understand that the chances coming his way are not going to happen for the rest of his life, so he needs to make the most out of it," he concluded.

'Ricky Ponting Focused on Preparing Fast Bowlers Steadily,' Reveals Vijay Dahiya

Former Australia captain and the head coach of Delhi Capitals Ricky Ponting has recently focused on preparing pace bowlers, according to the team's chief of talent scout development Vijay Dahiya. He also ensured that the players don't have to push themselves much in the challenging weather conditions in the UAE during the 2020 IPL season.

"How Ricky Ponting has planned the nets sessions is good, he's focused on preparing the fast bowlers steadily and we have also brought in some net bowlers to make sure there isn't much workload on our players going into the season in these tough conditions," he is quoted as saying in a DC press statement.

"I think it makes a huge difference when you have people in your coaching staff who have played the sport before. It generally helps them think like an athlete and also helps with the players getting to learn a lot from them, and getting that mentality also," he added.