One of the quickest pacers to ever play the game, Shoaib Akhtar did not hold back his criticism of Babar Azam’s leadership after Pakistan’s shocking exit from the T20 World Cup 2024. Pakistan’s disappointing performance, where they failed to qualify for the Super Eight stage, prompted Akhtar to question Babar’s captaincy credentials.
‘Babar Azam is not a captain material’
In a fiery interview, Akhtar targeted the decision to appoint Babar purely as captain. “Who made Babar Azam the captain in the first place? Who is the Einstein? Does he even know anything about captaincy? I’ve been saying that Babar Azam is not a captain material” he remarked, implying a faulty selection process.
Akhtar didn’t stop there. He suggested a change in Azam’s batting position, urging him to bat at number four and become a middle-order guide for the team. “He has to win the games, if he doesn’t, he won’t be able to keep his place,” warned Akhtar, highlighting the importance of finishing matches strongly.
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Pakistan captain: A roller-coaster ride
This criticism comes after a tumultuous period for Pakistan’s captaincy. Babar was removed from all formats after the 2023 ODI World Cup exit, only to be reinstated as T20I captain before this year’s T20 World Cup. Shaheen Afridi’s reign only lasted for a series against New Zealand (4-1 loss to PAK).
Pakistan’s campaign started horribly with defeats to the USA and India. Although they managed wins against Canada and Ireland, it wasn’t enough to progress further.
Akhtar’s comments reignite the debate surrounding Babar Azam’s captaincy. With another World Cup disappointment, Pakistan will need to decide on their leadership moving forward.
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