Former Indian cricketer Parthiv Patel has joined the chorus of criticism aimed at Pakistan skipper Babar Azam and the national cricket team after their disappointing early exit from the T20 World Cup 2024.
Speaking on the latest episode of “Cyrus Says – For the Love of Cricket,” Parthiv Patel, alongside Bollywood actress Saiyami Kher, engaged in a humorous yet critical discussion about Pakistan’s cricketing woes.
Watch: Parthiv Patel Mocks Babar Azam Parthiv Patel didn’t hold back, highlighting the contrast between past Pakistani cricketing legends like Inzamam-ul-Haq, Wasim Akram, Shoaib Akhtar, and Younis Khan—known for their fighting spirit and determination—and current captain Babar Azam. He criticized Babar for what he termed selfish captaincy, suggesting that Babar prioritizes his batting order over shouldering responsibility for the team’s performance.
Comparing Legends and Current Leadership “In the past, they had players like Inzamam and Wasim Akram who showed great determination. Now, there’s Babar Azam,” Parthiv remarked, pointing out Azam’s comparatively low strike rate of 120 in T20 cricket. He believes this strike rate is insufficient in today’s game, where teams aim for strike rates averaging 160-170.
Global Criticism Echoed Parthiv’s comments echoed sentiments expressed globally, including by former Pakistani cricketing icon Wasim Akram, who also blamed Babar for Pakistan’s lackluster showing in the tournament.