Big Bash: Ex-Pakistan cricketer advises Babar Azam to 'swallow bitter pills' after leaving league midway

Former Pakistan spinner Danish Kaneria on Thursday shared his views on Babar Azam’s early exit from the Australian Big Bash League and an on-field moment involving Steve Smith, saying players need to accept tough situations when thinking about the team.

Babar, who was going through a lean run in the BBL, scored 202 runs in 11 matches before leaving the tournament midway. He returned to Pakistan to join the national squad and begin preparations for upcoming international fixtures.




Kaneria was reacting to reports that suggested Babar felt "disrespected" during a Sydney Sixers match after being denied a strike. He said such incidents are common in professional cricket and should not be taken personally.

"Social media creates unnecessary chaos. Babar was denied a strike, and Rizwan was also recalled earlier. These things happen in team sports. No one does these things intentionally. Even in the IPL, when players don’t perform or when team balance is needed, decisions are taken. That doesn’t mean something dramatic has happened. Even Tilak Varma was called back in a game," Kaneria told news agency IANS.

He said decisions taken by captains are part of team management and should be seen in that context.

"Cricket is a team game. You don’t play individually; this is not tennis or golf. All eleven players share responsibility. If the captain feels runs are not coming or the team needs a player back, he can call him. There is nothing wrong with that," he added.

Kaneria advised Babar to stay focused and respond with professionalism. "Babar doesn’t need to be upset. If the team needs him, he should come back respectfully. When you think of the team, sometimes you have to swallow bitter pills, and that’s okay. The team should always come first," he concluded.

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