Srinagar: The voices in Pakistan cricket against Babar Azam have become louder with former cricketers demanding sacking of Babar as Pakistan captain after World Cup 2023.
Pakistan have suffered three back to back defeats in the World Cup 2023 including against Afghanistan.
Former players, Wasim Akram, Misbah ul Haq, Ramiz Raja, Rashid Latif, Muhammad Hafeez, Aaqib Javed, Shoaib Malik, Moin Khan or Shoaib Akhtar have all blamed Babar for the run of Pakistan’s defeats against India, Australia and Afghanistan.
Aaqib was quoted as saying by news agency PTI that Shaheen Shah Afridi should be made Pakistan captain in the white ball formats in place of Babar.
“Shaheen is the best bet for the future of Pakistan cricket. Babar has failed to prove himself as an able captain in white ball formats,” the former pacer said.
Aaqib who is the Director and head coach of PSL team Lahore Qalandars for which Shaheen, Haris Rauf, Fakhar Zaman and Abdullah Shafique play also criticised all other players except Rauf for not coming to the party against Afghanistan.
Pakistan now have to win all their remaining four games against England, South Africa, New Zealand and Bangladesh to stand any chance of qualifying for the semifinals.
“The fielding and body language of the players was very poor and unconvincing (against Afghanistan). They just didn’t appear capable of defending 283 which is not a small total. The bowling was ordinary and the fielding levels were pathetic,” Akram said.
Akram also noted that surprisingly no fitness tests had been held for Pakistan players for the last one year.
“In modern day cricket how do you expect to do well if you are not 100 percent fit? How can you take catches or stop boundaries? “The way some of our players fielded it appeared as if they were enjoying a diet of rich dishes and food,” he said.
Misbah said Babar’s captaincy left much to be desired and his bowling changes and field placings were amateurish.
“He has wasted Haris Rauf by bringing him on in the power play when there are only two fielders outside the circle. Haris was hit in his first over (against Australia) and he lost all confidence.
“He should be brought on with at least a sweeper at cover and three other fielders on the leg-side deep,” Misbah said.
Ironically, Misbah and Akram had played a pivotal role in convincing the PCB to make Babar captain of all formats, dumping Sarfaraz Ahmed after the 2019 World Cup.
Former Pakistan all-rounder, Razzaq accused Babar of spoiling the game of other players and noted that against Bangladesh, Shafique was batting aggressively and he changed the game once Babar came into bat.
“When Babar bats slowly it has an adverse effect on other batters who then can’t play their natural game and this is affecting Pakistan’s strike rate in this tournament,” Razzaq said.