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Criticism has mounted against Pakistan captain Babar Azam following the national team’s string of disappointing performances. Former cricketers Basit Ali, Sikander Bakht, along with current player Ahmed Shehzad, were vocal in their criticism after Pakistan’s 2-0 loss to England in the recent T20I series.
Babar Azam was reinstated as captain of the Pakistan men’s cricket team for both white-ball formats on March 31, replacing Shaheen Afridi as the T20I skipper. The decision, made by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), came following a unanimous recommendation from the selection committee.
After Pakistan’s exit from the 2023 ODI World Cup in India, Babar Azam had relinquished the captaincy across all three formats. Shaheen Afridi took over the T20I captaincy in November 2023. However, Pakistan faced challenges under Babar’s second tenure as captain, struggling against New Zealand and Ireland in T20I series.
The team’s difficulties persisted in the four-match T20I series against England, culminating in a seven-wicket loss in the final match. Inclement weather affected two matches in the series, marking Pakistan’s last bilateral series before the 2024 T20 World Cup.
Babar Azam is hiding behind seven selectors – Ahmed Shehzad
During a conversation on Geo News, Ahmed Shehzad took aim at Babar Azam, suggesting that “he is sheltering behind seven selectors.” Shehzad highlighted Babar’s failure to assume responsibility for the team’s defeats. Basit Ali’s critique was even more biting, likening the Pakistan cricket team to a franchise, insinuating a deficiency in national allegiance.
We Need To Back The Players – Babar Azam
Babar Azam has stood up for his team, particularly showing support for Azam Khan, amidst considerable backlash. Babar stressed the importance of standing by the selected players as they prepare for the forthcoming T20 World Cup 2024 in the United States and the West Indies.
“When we don’t select a player, you ask us why we did not select him. And then, when we select him, you ask us why he was selected. We need to back the players who have been selected,” said Babar Azam at the post-match press conference.
They Will Bring The World Cup – Mohsin Naqvi
Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Mohsin Naqvi has called upon fans to rally behind the national team ahead of the T20 World Cup. Naqvi expressed confidence that under the leadership of Babar Azam, the team will emerge victorious and bring home the World Cup.
“It is my request that for the next one week, please let’s support our players. We have full trust in them, and each Pakistani must tell them it doesn’t matter if they win or lose: we stand with them,” Naqvi said at Pakistan House in London during a dinner reception.
“If they go to the US [for the T20 World Cup] with this approach, they will bring the World Cup. Please stop criticising them for four weeks,” he added.
