Wasim Akram and other former cricketers face criticism on social media for defaming Babar Azam after Pakistan lost two consecutive matches in the T20 World Cup 2022.
In one of the videos, Wasim Akram lambasted Babar for not including Shoaib Malik on the team. He said that Babar being a captain should have a target of winning the world cup for Pakistan. Akram said that Babar should have refused to captain the team if he had not got the players he wanted in the team. He pressed on the inclusion of Shoaib Malik in the team. Regarding the inclusion of Shoaib Malik in the team, he said ‘Gadhay ko Bhi Baap Banana Paray to bana lo’ to win the world cup.
In another video, Wasim Akram was heard saying that being a captain Babar Azam will never sacrifice for his team. He is of the view that Babar should leave his opening number to accommodate other players in the team who are not performing on other numbers. Wasim added that Babar Azam turned down his request to play at number 3 in one of the seasons of PSL when he was coaching the Karachi Kings.
Waqar Younus present in the same sports show blamed the opening duo of Pakistan- Babar and Rizwan for the batting collapse of the team. “The easiest place to bat in T20s is the opening. You have not let anyone else open in the last two years. I have discussed this with Misbah before, so why don’t you try something new? You have tried it out with bowling, but with batting, we have tried all the experiments with the middle order. But the openers have remained the same and they have batted 14-15 overs together,” said Waqar Younus.
https://twitter.com/Gotoxytop1/status/1585896828557750273?s=20&t=SW0qmBaKu7t6d_WpQm9Ddg
What's the latest statement by Wasim Akram on Babar Azam not promoting Martin Guptill to open with Sharjeel Khan?
Babar Azam batted at No. 3 for Pakistan when Sharjeel played for Pakistan and opened with Rizwan. Not sure why he'd not do the same for Karachi Kings.
— Farid Khan (@_FaridKhan) October 28, 2022
Wasim Akram🗣️
"In PSL I requested Babar Azam nicely to bat at No.3 because we have openers and also we have couple of bad season. But Babar Azam refused me, he said I will not go at No.3."Via: Asports#WasimAkram | #Cricway | #BabarAzam𓃵 | #T20WorldCup | pic.twitter.com/faQVRTSqsR
— Cricway (@CricWay20) October 29, 2022
Read more: Batting collapse responsible for defeat against Zimbabwe: Babar Azam
Wasim Akram said – "In PSL i requested Babar Azam nicely you bat at No.3 because we have openers and also we have couple of bad season. But Babar Azam refused me, he said I will not go at No.3." (To A Sports)
— Ishika Pandey (@Ishika_Pandey45) October 28, 2022
“Sometimes, as a captain and as a leader, you leave your spot and say, Haider, if it is not working out for you in the middle order, I will give you the easier spot (opening) and we never tried that out, and that is why we are suffering. And we also lose because of the way they score runs. To become No.1 and No. 2 (in T20I rankings) is not a big deal, the important thing is to win after scoring those runs,” Waqar further added.
Both accused Babar Azam of being selfish and insecure. They inadvertently blamed Babar for preferring friendships in the team. “All of these things begin at the top. And at the top is your captain. If your captain plays for himself and is insecure. If your captain scores run and let other batters play at his position, you get to know that your captain is ready to sacrifice himself for you, this Babar has to learn,” Wasim said. Meanwhile, Misbah-ul-Haq said that problems will continue to persist unless strong structural changes are not made in the cricket board.
These statements are not going down well with the cricket fans in Pakistan. These statements are tantamount to tarnishing the image of captain Babar Azam amid the tournament; it is not the right time as it will further demoralize the team. It is downright outrageous for former cricketers to hurl criticism at this time. Several cricket fans slammed the critics for targeting Rizwan for being religious.