Australia’s power-hitting coach Shannon Young has been very active on social media, refusing to accept that Babar Azam is criticized and stating that he is a world-class player who would be appreciated in Australia. Young’s approval comes at a time when Azam has been under huge criticism for the poor performance of the Pakistan side in the recently concluded ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024.
Even though the cricketer Babar Azam is known as one of the most outstanding Pakistani batsmen, his performance throughout the critical matches raised controversies and critical opinions. Young opposed this argument by pointing out that in Australia, people would love Azam’s talent and ability, as people all over the world love talents.
Especially when it comes to cricket in Australia, which is noted for accommodating high-caliber talent, particularly in batting and consistency.
Such remarks from Young reflect a growing understanding of the worldwide recognition of Azam, together with the calls for a fair assessment of his achievements during difficult series and tournaments. Thus, when Azam and Pakistan cricket recalibrate their status after the tournament.
Young’s affirmation places Azam’s potentiality in a framework where his orientation towards assertiveness found in young cricketers is particularly prized in high-level cricket.
Pakistan is Under Scrutiny
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Currently, there is much focus on Pakistani cricket. Babar Azam, too, has been out of form and failed, and the team has come to a disappointing group-stage elimination at the T20 World Cup 2024. There have been speculations about Babar’s captaincy and about the team.
Cricketer Babar Azam could only manage meager scores against the World Cup-competing team, with 44, 13, 33, and 32* from the playing matches. Pakistan’s campaign came to a crest with losses to the USA and India and without much success against Canada and Ireland. These four claims did not help the team qualify for the Super 8 stage. This was due to concerns about the fitness of the team, the form, and disciplinary problems.
Shannon Young’s Support for Babar Azam
While all this criticism was going around, Shannon Young started supporting Babar Azam. Cricbuzz quoted Young, who was associated with Australian big hitters like Glenn Maxwell and Fraser McGurk, who understand Babar Azam’s ability is world-class.
Therefore, he went on to say that a player like Babar would be cheered on in Australia. Young opines that what might act as a handicap to the players is the pressure the fans back home expect from Pakistan.
When asked about the Pakistan captain Babar Azam’s strike rate, Young, as quoted by Geo News, said:
I was surprised that people criticized Babar Azam. Babar is now a world-class player. If there was such a player from Australia, I would be supporting him or her.
Collaboration and Training Camps
Young remains optimistic about the possibility of touring Pakistan and bringing along young Australian players for training camps. This initiative aims to foster cricketing skills and build international camaraderie. In a notable interaction, Babar Azam met Young in Lahore.
The Pakistan skipper sought the Australian coach’s assistance to enhance his skills following a challenging T20 World Cup campaign. This collaboration underscores the mutual respect and shared objectives between the players and coaches of both nations.
Meanwhile, Pakistan’s white-ball coach Gary Kirsten has submitted his assessment of the disappointing World Cup performance. This report will be reviewed by Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chief Mohsin Naqvi. Naqvi plans to discuss the findings with several esteemed former players, including Shahid Afridi and Shoaib Akhtar. Based on these discussions, they will decide whether to continue with Babar as captain or opt for new leadership.
Also Read: Post-Kohli and Rohit Retirement: Andy Flower Confident in India’s Future
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