Omar Akmal has claimed that he has helped Babar Azam in improving his game against spin, and has revealed that the former Pakistan captain once contacted him for advice on the matter.
Babar has been facing a growing scrutiny against his spinners on his performance, with his strike rate and average decline in recent years. Many former cricketers have pointed out their limited shot selection against slow bowlers as a growing concern.
Interviewing a private TV channel, Akmal remembered a moment when Babar asked for his input.
Akmal jointly said, “I clearly remember that when he had problems with the spinners, he came to me and said,” Omar brother, I am having a little trouble. “
Akmal claims that he faced the spinners and suggested adjustment in Babar’s grip and attention.
He explained, “I asked him about his grip on the bat and when he faced a spinner, he would adjust his grip and place his eyes on the ball until he was halfway, he could choose to cut it or play a shot.”
Babar was once the most dominant batsmen against the spin, with an average of 82.1 at the end of 2021. However, since then, the number has decreased significantly, which has been close to 48.
His strike rate against the spin dropped from 77.7 to 68.4 the next year, and another 60.3 in 2025. He has been sacked 20 times in his last 39 innings.
While Babar continues to work on his game, Akmal believes he has the ability to regain his shape.
Asked about his current relationship with Babar Azam, Akmal also appeared to be proportional, saying that “everyone has his own life.”
