ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan cricket team’s disappointing performance in the group stage of the ongoing ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 has led to severe criticism of their captain, Babar Azam. Former Indian cricketer Virender Sehwag has been particularly vocal, questioning Babar’s place in the T20 squad.
In the group stage, Pakistan managed to secure victories only against Canada and Ireland, while suffering defeats to India and the USA. This left them third in their group with just four points from four matches, thus failing to qualify for the Super 8 stage.
Babar Azam’s personal performance was underwhelming. As an opening batter, he scored a mere 122 runs at a strike rate of 101.66. Sehwag, a former opening batter himself, did not hold back in his criticism. He stated that Babar’s approach to batting does not align with the aggressive requirements of modern T20 cricket.
“His performances are not as per the demands of today’s T20 cricket,” Sehwag told Cricbuzz. “As a leader, you have to think about what is best for the team. If that means stepping down to allow someone who can score quickly in the powerplay, then that’s what should happen. I may sound harsh, but if the captain changes, Babar doesn’t deserve a place in the T20 team.”
Sehwag suggested that the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) should consider removing Babar from the T20I captaincy and possibly from the team altogether if his form does not improve.
Following Pakistan’s victory over Ireland, Babar addressed the criticism of his captaincy, indicating his openness to stepping down if that is deemed best for the team. “When I gave up the captaincy [in 2023], I thought that I shouldn’t be doing it now, that’s why I left it and I announced it myself,” Babar explained.
“When they gave it back to me, it was the decision of the PCB. When I go back, we will discuss all that has happened here. And if I have to leave the captaincy, I will announce it openly.”
