Ramiz Raza makes huge U-Turn, lauds Pakistan star Babar Azam after recent Batting revival

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Pakistan's former captain and ex-chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), Ramiz Raja, has lauded star batter Babar Azam for his patience and composure amid heavy criticism over the past few years.

The former skipper praised Babar's mental strength and commitment, especially after he ended a long wait for a century in international cricket.

Babar recently brought up his first international hundred in 807 days and 83 innings, scoring a fluent century against Sri Lanka during the ODI series in Rawalpindi. The milestone marked a significant return to form for the prolific right-hander, who had been under close scrutiny from fans and former players over his supposed dip in performance and leadership record.

Speaking on his YouTube channel, Ramiz revealed that Babar had privately shared his frustrations about the harsh criticism directed at him. "I met him recently in a cafe and he expressed his frustration at the way he had to face criticism, personal comments over his place in the team and his performances," Ramiz said.

Ramiz added that he advised the star batter to remain focused on his game and not let external opinions affect him. "Just continue to do what you have done, be patient and show restraint and don't react to outside noises. Because as a player your only job is to perform on the field," he said. "I was very happy to see him back among the runs with his century against Sri Lanka."

The former PCB chief further praised Babar for maintaining dignity and avoiding public confrontation despite facing relentless media and fan scrutiny. He emphasized that Babar's style and class make him one of the most watchable batters in world cricket. "He has all the shots and he is a treat to watch even when he defends. He shouldn't be worried about strike rates; he just needs to bat longer," Ramiz noted.

Ramiz had been a strong supporter of Babar during his tenure as PCB chairman when the latter was appointed captain across all three formats in 2021. Their professional relationship has often been cited as mutual respect, with Ramiz continuing to back Babar even after he stepped down as board chairman.