Babar dismisses mental barrier talks as Pakistan's batting woes continue

Pakistan batter Babar Azam insisted on Sunday that the team's Test batting unit is not carrying any mental baggage despite a prolonged run of poor returns.

Pakistan, who have lost six of their last 10 Tests largely because of repeated batting collapses, were bowled out for 232 on the second day of the second Test in Sylhet following a disciplined effort from the Bangladesh attack.

Bangladesh tightened their grip on the second and final Test by reaching 110 for 3 in their second innings, extending their overall lead to 156.

"We are playing cricket for a long time. I don't think there is any mental barrier. We are just not executing properly as batters. We had small partnerships but in Test cricket you need bigger stands," said Babar, who was the only batter from his side to cross 50.

"I think the turning point was my wicket and Salman Ali Agha's wicket because after that we could not build partnerships. In Test cricket, you need two or three good partnerships."

"The main thing is that as a batting unit, we have to take a bit of responsibility and we have to play by taking a bit of pain because our issue has been that whenever a wicket falls, back-to-back wickets follow. Then you are not able to recover."

"In this game too, it seemed like we were ahead, but suddenly one partnership broke and then the same thing was repeated."

Babar added that the team has been discussing ways to overcome those repeated collapses. "Is there a problem of focus or what are you thinking during that phase? We are trying to break that mental barrier by talking to each other. Players are talking among themselves and the coaching staff is also discussing how we can do it better."

Babar also dismissed suggestions that Bangladesh pacer Nahid Rana is unplayable despite the young quick troubling him consistently in recent meetings. Rana has now dismissed Babar three times in as many Tests.

"No, I don't think so (Rana is unplayable). He is one of the fastest bowlers right now in red-ball cricket but every second team has a 140-150 kph bowler. So you try to handle those things. I try my level best to play my natural game. Sometimes you score runs, sometimes you get out."

"I think he's very talented, and the main thing is his pace. He is outstanding, and his control is improving day by day. I wish him all the best for the future," he added.