Babar Azam, who holds the reputation of being a prolific scorer, managed just 68 runs in the six matches Pakistan played at the Asia Cup.
Babar and the rest of the Pakistan team were heavily criticized by former players, experts, and fans as Pakistan crashed out of the 2024 T20 World Cup after the group stage.
Pakistan World Cup winner Mushtaq Ahmed praised under-fire Pakistan captain Babar Azam and stated that he requires contributions from the rest of the players. He went on to ask that more respect be shown towards Babar.
Mushtaq Ahmed’s Defense of Babar Azam
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Mushtaq Ahmed rushed to Babar’s side, stating that he had increased his aggression. “Babar Azam’s intent has changed in the past year. He has been aggressive in his hitting. “If a person can improve so much, I believe that is enough,” Mushtaq told Cricket Pakistan.
“Other players are also responsible for scoring runs; they have a role to perform. If one guy scores, but the rest of our players fail to score in the next 7-8 overs, there’s a problem,” he said.
“This has been going on for three to four years. Mushtaq remarked that the other players, except Babar Azam, only score when there is no big impact.
Babar was Pakistan’s leading run scorer in the 2024 T20 World Cup, with 122 runs in four games but a strike rate of only 101.66. Mohammad Rizwan, who scored the second most runs, had a strike rate of only 90.90.
Performance in Tournaments and Leadership
Despite being the favorites to win the Asia Cup 2022 final, Pakistan had to settle for second place. The Babar Azam-led team began the encounter as predicted, packing half of the Lankan unit with only 58 on the board.
However, an outstanding performance by Bhanuka Rajapaksa, who hit an unbeaten 71 off 45 balls, and a 21-ball 36 cameo by Wanindu Hasaranga helped the team reach 170/6 after 20 overs.
Pakistan’s run chase began with pacer Dilshan Madushanka giving 10 free runs without bowling a single delivery. Madushanka began with a no-ball and then delivered many wide deliveries, one of which ended in a boundary.
Sri Lanka’s first dismissal came from Pramod Madushan, as Pakistan’s top hitter Babar Azam failed to make an impression with the bat yet again. The skipper guided a wide delivery down the leg, allowing Madushanka to collect it at short, fine leg. He was removed for 5(6) runs, and Pakistan lost Fakhar Zaman in the next delivery.
Saqlain Mushtaq Also Praises Babar
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With the run rate increasing and Lankan players putting forth a tremendous effort in the field, Pakistan could only manage 147/10 in response. Mushtaq urged people to honor Babar Azam more and not forget his achievements in Pakistan cricket.
“There is a reason why people throughout the world revere Babar. He provides glory to Pakistan. I believe people are sometimes harsh on him,” Mushtaq stated.
“As I previously stated, anyone with a keen eye for cricket will see that he is unlucky with the way he is getting out,” Saqlain remarked at the post-match news conference.
“The way he plays and his work ethic require no additional explanation. He is a world-class player, and God will protect him from the evil eye,” he said. Babar Azam is now ranked among the ICC‘s top five batters in all three formats: first in ODIs, third in Tests, and fourth in T20Is.
Despite a rough T20 World Cup campaign, Babar is poised to retain leadership, with Pakistan Cricket Board head Mohsin Naqvi’s previously promised ‘ major surgery’ looking improbable.
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