Babar Azam (Pic credit: X)

Former Pakistan all-rounder Azhar Mahmood has launched a strong defence of Babar Azam, calling it “unfair” to single him out over strike-rate concerns in T20 cricket while insisting the country lacks ultra-aggressive batters.Speaking after a Pakistan Super League match, Mahmood, assistant and bowling coach for Peshawar Zalmi, questioned the narrative around Babar’s approach, pointing to the broader limitations in Pakistan’s batting pool.“The problem for Babar Azam was what was demanded from him. He was forced to bat at number four in the World Cup for his low strike rate,” Mahmood said.He added that comparisons with other batters were misplaced. “If I look at others, the best batter of Pakistan in the T20 World Cup was Sahibzada Farhan. He has a strike rate of around 135 in T20Is. Babar has 128, so there’s not much difference.”‘Utilise Babar Azam properly’Mahmood, who played in the IPL as a British passport holder from 2012 to 2015, representing Punjab Kings (then Kings XI Punjab) and Kolkata Knight Riders, made it clear that expectations need to be realistic, stressing that Pakistan simply do not have players capable of consistently striking at 190-200.“We should admit that Pakistan doesn’t have 190-200 strike-rate players. Babar Azam should be utilised properly like we utilised him in this PSL. He sets the platform for the other batters to hit the ball,” he said.His remarks come at a time when Babar has answered critics emphatically on the field. Leading Peshawar Zalmi, the star batter smashed a stunning unbeaten 100 off just 52 balls against Quetta Gladiators, powering his side to a massive 255/3.The knock was remarkable not just for its power but control — Babar faced over 50 deliveries while playing just a single dot ball, a rare feat in T20 cricket.It also marked the end of a long wait, as he brought up his first century in 783 days. In the process, Babar crossed 12,000 T20 runs in just 338 innings — faster than legends like Chris Gayle and Virat Kohli.Mahmood’s comments underline a broader debate in Pakistan cricket — whether the system is demanding a style of play its current talent pool isn’t equipped to deliver.