Questions have been raised on Babar Azam’s captaincy. After back to back losses in the ICC T20 World Cup, the Pakistan Cricket Team skipper is now under immense pressure. Former Pakistan skipper Shoaib Malik believes that Babar Azam should step down from his role as the captain. If he does so, only then can he perform well without the burden of captaincy.
“I don’t know who it is who has asked Babar to keep his captaincy. I have been saying this for a long time, he shouldn’t be the captain. You are a classy player and your class will be depicted only when you don’t have additional responsibility,” Shoaib Malik said on The Flick show.
“Yesterday, you had to chase 120. There was no need to improve your strike rate. You score 13 runs from 10 balls, which shows you are trying to improve your strike rate on a game which is played at a very difficult game. You have to chase 120, the entire platform is set for you. As a leader, if your mind isn’t working as that of a batter, then… The core of the team now shouldn’t be around Babar,” added Malik.
Immense pressure for Babar Azam
Pakistan Cricket Team experienced a shocking loss to USA in the first game. The Men in Green then went down against arch rivals India. Tasked to chase 120 runs, Pakistan were well poised to win the game. But the Indian bowlers came back strongly to clinch a 6 wicket win.
In the end, skipper Babar Azam will have to bear responsibility for the loss. Against USA he was criticised for playing slowly, resulting in a low strike rate. And against India, when he should have been playing slowly on a tricky surface, Babar misjudged. This resulted in a total collapse for the team.
New Captain?
After a dismal run in the ODI World Cup, Babar Azam gave up his captaincy. Shan Masood became the Test skipper while Shaheen Afridi took over the reins for white ball. But Pakistan’s slumber form continued. And in the end, Babar was made the captain again, ahead of the ICC T20 World Cup.
Now as per Shoaib Malik and other pundits, Babar Azam should leave the captaincy of the team. They believe it will greatly reduce extra pressure on the ace batter, who would then concentrate sole on his game.
