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<\/p>\nPakistan\u2019s captain Babar Azam during a practice session<\/p>\n
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Former Australian cricketer Shane Watson is confident that Pakistan skipper Babar Azam will return to his best form when his side takes on arch-rivals India this weekend in the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023.<\/p>\n
Azam has had a poor start in the ongoing 50-over World Cup in India, having managed just scores of five and 10 in Pakistan\u2019s first two games of the tournament. Fortunately, Azam\u2019s struggles have not affected Pakistan\u2019s\u00a0results so far, with the Men in Green beating the Netherlands and Sri Lanka in Hyderabad.<\/p>\n
Pakistan\u2019s next match in the group stage of the World Cup is a big one as they are set to face off against hosts India at Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on 14 October.<\/p>\n
Ahead of the much-awaited match, Azam has been subjected to social media trolling for his low scores in Pakistan\u2019s last two games. But he has received some comforting support from Watson and even former Indian wicketkeeper Deep Dasgupta.<\/p>\n
Watson, cricketer-turned-commentator, has backed Azam to bring out his best against India, saying the \u201cclass player\u201d did not look out of touch against Sri Lanka even though he threw away his wicket early in his side\u2019s tough chase of 345.<\/p>\n
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\u201cLook, he\u2019s a class player. Yes, he\u2019s had a bit of a dry spell, Uh, five innings of less than 30 runs. So it\u2019s the first time he\u2019s done that since 2019. You know that things aren\u2019t going that well, if you when that happens. So, um, Babar Azam, even the first couple of balls that he faced, you can see he\u2019s getting in really good positions,\u201d Watson said on Star Sports after Pakistan\u2019s six-wicket win on Tuesday.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe\u2019s a world class batter. He\u2019s going to absolutely ready to go against India. Sometimes you\u2019re just not so much out of touch because he\u2019s not even more badly you just out of runs.\u201d<\/p>\n
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Babar Azam looks back after being dismissed<\/p>\n
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India\u2019s captain Rohit Sharma and Pakistan\u2019s captain Babar Azam during captain\u2019s press conference on the eve of ICC Men\u2019s Cricket World Cup in Ahmedabad<\/p>\n
Dasgupta, who was also on the broadcast panel with Watson, pointed out that with other Pakistani batters now delivering for the side, Azam will be able to walk out to bat with less pressure and will be able to express his game with more freedom.<\/p>\n
\u201cA game (India vs Pakistan) like this could actually unleash Babar Azam the batter. You know, he\u2019s got more confidence in the other batters now you know he\u2019s got Abdullah Shafique. He\u2019s got, obviously, Rizwan. Then he\u2019s got Saud Shakeel, Iftekhar. Everyone\u2019s contributing.<\/p>\n
\u201cBefore this game, it seems like it\u2019s going to be only Babar or maybe Rizwan. But now I think he\u2019s going to go out next game, feeling a little more free, can bat like himself and not feel the pressure of the world on the shoulder,\u201d added Dasgupta.<\/p>\n
Mohammad Rizwan scored a century against Sri Lanka on Monday as Pakistan pulled off a record Cricket World Cup chase. Azam and Co chased down 345 runs with 10 balls and six wickets to spare against the Lankans. <\/p>\n