Former Pakistan fast bowler Umar Gul revealed that Captain Babar Azam scolded two key players, Mohammad Rizwan and Shadab Khan, for offering advice to the bowlers during a recent series. Gul spoke about these incidents during a discussion on a local channel, shedding light on the internal friction within the team.
Gul, who had been part of the team during the series in question, expressed his worry about the situation. He stated, “I have seen one or two incidents when I was with the Pakistan team for a series where the captain scolded Rizwan and Shadab for speaking to the bowlers. Maybe they have been told not to do so because usually, senior players advise the captain.”
Traditionally, senior players often play an essential role in mentoring and supporting the captain, particularly when it comes to strategizing on the field. This revelation raises concerns about the dynamics within the Pakistan cricket team and Babar Azam’s leadership.
Adding to the growing concerns, Pakistan finds itself in a precarious position in the ICC Men’s ODI World Cup 2023. With just two wins in five matches, the team is on the verge of elimination. This has put further scrutiny on Babar Azam’s captaincy and the need to address the internal issues that may be affecting the team’s performance on the field.
Read more: Afghan player dedicates his performance to immigrants being deported from Pakistan
Fans are upset, and former cricketers are disgruntled as Pakistan lost three consecutive matches against Australia, India, and Afghanistan. The captaincy of Babar Azam is also under threat as Pakistan is at risk of early elimination from the ICC Men’s ODI World Cup 2023.
Pakistan will be facing South Africa, Bangladesh, New Zealand, and England in its next four matches. They must win all these four matches with a big margin whereas Netherlands also needs to pull off another upset to defeat Australia today in order for Pakistan to qualify for the semi-finals of the World Cup 2023.