Shamsi defends Babar Azam amid criticism regarding facing left-arm spinners

South African cricket all-rounder, Tabraiz Shamsi, has voiced his perspective regarding the criticism aimed at Pakistan skipper, Babar Azam, who has been labeled as “weak” while playing against spinners. 

In a recent interview with a local media channel, Shamsi commended the player for maintaining an average of fifty in international cricket, refuting the notion that accomplishing such a feat could be characterized as a display of weakness.

“Well if people are saying that he [Babar] is weak and he’s averaging fifty, I wouldn’t like to see him when he’s not weak. He’s a world-class player, it’s not a joke averaging fifty in International cricket, so I think those kind of things that people are saying it’s uncalled for,” Shamsi said.

“He’s obviously a class player and yeah at any given day any bowler can get any batsman out, and at any given day any batsman can make a hundred, so anybody that is playing at that level is very good, so I think we need to appreciate that,” he concluded.

Tabraiz Shamsi, about Babar Azam, said if Babar is weak against spinners, he is averaging 50; I would be scared when he is not weak😂💯. #BabarAzam𓃵 #BabarAzam #TabraizShamsi pic.twitter.com/I9nY8VzIcR

— Shaharyar Ejaz 🏏 (@SharyOfficial) August 10, 2023

It is worth noting that Babar Azam, who is currently representing Colombo Strikers, has emerged as the top run-scorer in the ongoing 2023 Lanka Premier League (LPL). He has accumulated 235 runs across five matches, maintaining an impressive average of 47.00 and a striking rate of 143.29.

The 28-year-old’s exceptional performance includes a stellar innings of 104 runs from just 59 deliveries against the Galle Gladiators. This remarkable display featured a total of eight fours and five sixes at a strike-rate of 176.27.