Faheem Ashraf backs Babar Azam’s natural game amid social media scrutiny

Pakistan all-rounder Faheem Ashraf has stepped up to defend captain Babar Azam, urging fans and critics alike to allow the star batter to play in his own style rather than force him into a template shaped by social media expectations.

Speaking this week. According to , Ashraf said “Babar and I started cricket together. He’s a world-class player. Unnecessary social media criticism forced him to change his natural game.”

He further added: “Let Babar be Babar,” underlining his belief that imposing rigid expectations is stifling the batter’s natural flair.

Ashraf made the remarks as there has been increased pressure on Babar on social media, where fans have asked him to either play more boundaries or play aggressively. However, Ashraf warned against that and explained that such external accounts can be dangerous and unhealthy to a player's confidence and game, more so when a player is so technically endowed as Babar.

As the nation will be participating in future series and tournaments, the support and reliability of the captain will be essential. Ashraf advises people to quiet down; there is a lesson to learn here that the game of cricket, particularly the international game, requires a lot of mental calmness as much as technical ability.

With Babar now in his most important stages of his career, the opportune words of reassurance by Ashraf ring out as not only a show of confidence to the outside world but also an appeal to fans: allow the natural brilliance of one of the best batsmen out of Pakistan to breathe easy, and not under excessive pressure.