Hassan Ali Backs Babar Azam Amidst Performance Dip

Pakistan’s experienced fast bowler, Hassan Ali, has voiced his strong support for Babar Azam, the former captain, who is currently facing challenges with his form and overall performance.

During a press conference following his Pakistan Super League (PSL) match on Monday, Hassan described Babar as the “best player” the nation has. He also downplayed any criticism regarding Babar’s current form, while recognizing that the star batter is navigating a difficult period.

Hassan’s comments were in response to a journalist referencing a previous statement where he called Babar a “King,” saying “King kar lega,” which translates to “the King will deliver.”

Hassan added, “We were the ones who made Babar the king, and now we are bringing him down.” He continued, “If my words ‘the king will deliver’ offended anyone, I sincerely apologise. However, my stance remains that Babar is still our best player, and I am confident that he will make a strong comeback.”

Reflecting on the Karachi Kings’ performance, the right-arm pacer admitted that their batting order collapse was the reason they lost the match. The Karachi Kings were defeated by the Lahore Qalandars in yesterday’s game.

He said, “We lost wickets early on, which prevented us from building partnerships, and ultimately the pressure kept mounting.” He also mentioned that the team plans to re-evaluate the consistencies.

The 2017 Champions Trophy winner also spoke about the widespread issue of player criticism, condemning attacks on personal level while accepting constructive feedback.

He stated, “Criticism aimed at improvement is perfectly acceptable, but it becomes a problem when families are targeted. It affects everyone.” He referenced the abusive crowd behaviour that occurred during Pakistan’s recent tour of New Zealand. “I understand that as public figures, we are constantly under scrutiny. Our responsibility is to respond through strong performances.”

Hassan, who last represented Pakistan in May 2024, restated his ambition to return to the national team. He said, “I am still young and have confidence in my abilities. My performances here will be crucial in determining my international future.”