Stepping outside one’s comfort zone is never simple. Many people spend their lives wondering what they might have achieved if they had taken a different path. Fear plays a major role in holding them back. The fear of failure, the fear of losing what they already possess, and the fear of the unknown often convince people to stay where they are, even if that place limits their growth.
This is why the journey of many talented individuals comes to a halt. Sometimes it is due to financial pressure or personal responsibilities, but often it is simply the reluctance to change. History shows us that the most successful people are usually those who dared to challenge themselves. They embraced uncertainty, discovered new dimensions of their abilities, and reshaped their careers by adapting with time.
Cricket provides a perfect example of this reality. The game has changed dramatically over the years. In earlier eras, Test cricket was the ultimate format. It demanded patience, technique, and mental strength, and players earned legendary status through performances that stood the test of time. Test cricket was not just a format; it was the soul of the game.
Then came One-Day Internationals. With limited overs and increased commercial interest, money entered the sport in a way never seen before. Gradually, priorities shifted. Today, we live in the age of T20 cricket, where entertainment, quick results, and explosive batting dominate the narrative.
The modern generation celebrates T20 stars the same way past generations admired legends like Don Bradman. However, there is a crucial difference. Bradman’s legacy has survived for decades, while many T20 heroes fade from memory as quickly as they rise. The nature of the format encourages instant impact rather than lasting greatness.
In today’s cricketing world, players often prefer earning massive sums in a few hours of franchise cricket instead of enduring the physical and mental grind of Test matches. As a result, Test cricket has suffered significantly. Even a historic cricketing nation like Pakistan now plays only a handful of Test matches each year, highlighting how far the format has fallen.
Very few players in the modern era can excel across all three formats. Even among those who can, some use their fame to make themselves appear irreplaceable, sometimes at the expense of team balance and performance. In the past, cricketers proudly claimed they played for the nation. Today, that sentiment feels increasingly hollow.
Many players now willingly step away from international cricket to pursue lucrative league contracts. Their argument is that international careers are short. While this may be true, it raises a valid question: if leagues are the priority, why use international cricket as a platform to build value in the first place? The reality is that global recognition still comes from international performances.
Franchise leagues also serve as a reality check for many stars. At home, players often enjoy hero status. Weak competition and strong influence can allow them to remain in teams despite prolonged poor form. Franchise cricket, however, is ruthless. Teams invest millions and demand results in every game. Reputation alone carries no weight.
Failure in such environments can damage egos. Players who are unaccustomed to being challenged sometimes react emotionally when things do not go their way.
A recent incident in the Big Bash League highlighted this contrast perfectly. Typically, senior batters refuse singles near the end of an over to protect tail-enders and keep the strike. Babar Azam himself has done this many times. However, playing for the Sydney Sixers, he found himself on the receiving end of that decision.
While opening alongside Steve Smith, Babar pushed for a single on the final ball of an over, but Smith declined. Babar appeared visibly upset. The very next over, Smith smashed 32 runs, justifying his decision. Babar, meanwhile, was dismissed for 47 and showed his frustration by striking his bat against the boundary rope.
The reaction shocked fans and commentators alike. Babar’s innings of 47 off 39 balls stood in sharp contrast to Smith’s blistering century, which came just three balls later. In Pakistan, no player would dare to deny Babar a single in such a situation. That moment exposed the difference between domestic hero worship and international professionalism.
Earlier, another incident saw Mohammad Rizwan being called back by his captain in the Big Bash for batting too slowly. Such actions may appear disrespectful to fans back home, but franchise teams prioritize performance over reputation.
This leads to an uncomfortable but necessary question: does the batting style of players like Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan truly align with modern T20 cricket? Their strike rates rank among the lowest in the competition. Franchise cricket does not tolerate inefficiency, regardless of past achievements.
The concept of a “king” exists only at home. Abroad, there is no throne. Performance is the only currency. This principle applies not just in cricket, but in life as well. You may behave freely at home, but the same attitude will not work in a professional workplace. Adaptation is essential.
History is filled with examples of once-great empires whose descendants now live in obscurity. Those who fail to evolve are eventually left behind. Cricket is no different.
Pakistan still lacks enough quality replacements, which is why Babar continues to return to the T20 setup. However, that safety net does not exist in global franchise cricket. The upcoming World Cup will likely determine whether Babar truly fits the demands of modern T20s or should focus on Tests and ODIs.
As for Rizwan, his future in T20 cricket appears uncertain. Both players have served Pakistan with distinction, yet they have long faced criticism for slow scoring rates. Instead of adapting, they seemed to rely on past success, assuming it would always protect them.
Their struggles in high-quality leagues like the Big Bash have exposed these weaknesses. Some argue that playing in lower-standard leagues, such as Bangladesh’s, would have allowed them to dominate weaker bowling attacks. But true greatness is measured by performance against the best, on challenging pitches.
Avoiding competition is not the answer. Both Babar and Rizwan possess world-class talent. The real issue is not who they are today, but who they are willing to become.
There are still matches remaining. There is still time to prove their worth. Talent alone is not enough. Ego must be set aside, adaptability embraced, and intent displayed.
Stop expressing frustration on the boundary rope. Start expressing intent through fearless stroke play. Only then will runs flow freely, teams succeed, and personal satisfaction truly follow.
For more cricket analysis and insights, visit netsports247.com.
