KARACHI: Former Pakistan fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar has voiced strong criticism regarding Babar Azam’s leadership during the T20 World Cup, which is currently being co-hosted by the USA and West Indies.
In a recent interview on a local sports channel, Akhtar questioned the rationale behind appointing Azam as captain.
“Who made Babar Azam the captain in the first place? Who was the Einstein? I need to know that guy. Does he qualify for this job? Does he even know anything about captaincy? I’ve been saying that Babar Azam is not captain material,” Akhtar remarked.
Akhtar also suggested that Azam’s role within the team should be reconsidered, advocating for a shift in his batting position.
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“What’s going to happen to Babar now? He is now going to come down at number 4. He has to finish the games. He has to win the games, if he doesn’t, he won’t be able to keep his place in T20I. I am telling you right now. He won’t be able to find his place in ODIs if he can’t finish. The finisher Babar has to come out again. That’s when the character comes out. He needs to get in that kind of a position. I am bluntly telling this to Babar, you need to remain a superstar. Get to know how to finish games,” Akhtar concluded.
Pakistan’s T20 World Cup campaign, led by Azam, ended in disappointment as the team was eliminated without reaching the super eight round. Placed in Group A alongside India, USA, Canada, and Ireland, they suffered consecutive defeats to co-hosts USA and arch-rivals India. Despite victories in their last two group matches against Canada and Ireland, Pakistan finished with two wins and two losses, accumulating a total of four points.
