'Shaadi kar le bhai, ab umar zyada ho gayi hai teri': Ex-Pakistan cricketer's strange advice to Babar Azam to regain form amidst Test fifty drought

Former Pakistan captain Babar Azam has been struggling to score big runs of late. Once touted as Pakistan's greatest batter, Babar has not scored a Test fifty in 16 innings. After the historic series defeat against Bangladesh at home, Babar has been facing harsh criticism for managing to score just 64 runs from four innings. While many are finding flaws in Babar's technique and approach, former Pakistan cricketer Basit Ali wants Babar to get married. Basit feels that Babar will be a different person after tying the knot.
 

"Babar Azam, talk to your parents and get married. He will be a completely different man after that. I know how a player feels when he is not performing well. I request Babar's parents to get him to marry. Like an elder brother, I want him to tell him Shaadi kar le bhai, ab umar zyada ho gayi hai teri (Get married brother, you are now old enough)," Basit said on his YouTube channel.
 

Babar's last fifty-plus score in Test cricket came in December 2022 against New Zealand in Karachi. After a lacklustre show against Bangladesh, he slipped from third to 12th position in ICC Test batter rankings. 

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Basit wants Pakistan team to open their eyes

While Basit offered a strange advice to Babar to regain his form, he said that Pakistan need to learn their lesson after the series defeat otherwise they will lose to more lower-ranked teams like Afghanistan and Nepal. 
 

“This is a wake-up call for Pakistan cricket. They can't go lower than this. Now, it's the time to rise and open your eyes. If you still don't open your eyes after losing to Bangladesh, play Test series only against Nepal and Afghanistan. Pakistan have learned a lesson and it will benefit them," he said. 

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Masood’s Pakistan have their work cut out

Under Shan Masood’s captaincy, Pakistan have lost five Tests in a row. They have not been able to use home advantage. Their last win on home soil came 10 Tests ago. They have slipped to eighth spot in ICC Test rankings, their worst since 1965. 
 

Masood will search for his maiden Test win as captain when England tour Pakistan for a three-Test series starting October 7 in Multan.
 

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