Pakistan’s captain and the cover drive specialist, Babar Azam, is currently facing substantial criticism in the aftermath of his team’s recent seven-wicket loss to India in the ongoing ICC Cricket World Cup 2023.
While Babar Azam’s prowess with the bat is widely acknowledged, his captaincy abilities have frequently come under scrutiny, despite his reasonably commendable track record in ICC tournaments as a leader.
Gautam Gambhir, who was part of the victorious 2007 T20 Cricket World Cup and 2011 ODI Cricket World Cup teams, has expressed his desire for Babar Azam to implement comprehensive changes in his cricketing approach and offered him an advice before Australia World Cup clash.
The star Indian opener commented on Babar Azam saying that “I feel Babar will have to change his personality, his game and, importantly, his mindset. Pakistan have had a history of attacking batters – Shahid Afridi, Imran Nazir, Saeed Anwar, Aamer Sohail. In the present top three, everyone bats in similar mode. If someone has to take responsibility, it has to be their captain, who bats at No. 3.”
He said that “there is no point looking at stats. You may become Pakistan’s leading run-getter, but legacy is created by winning tournaments, not individual records. Wasim Akram took three wickets in the 1992 World Cup final. He did not pick up a five-fer, but everybody talks about it because they won the World Cup. Nobody talks about Mahela Jayawardene’s hundred in the 2011 final. Everyone remembers that India won the match.”
It is pertinent to mention here that Pakistan has secured victories in two of their matches and one defeat, with Australia recently claiming their first win in the tournament against Sri Lanka. Prior to this victory, Australia had faced losses against India and South Africa. It’s worth noting that Pakistan also suffered a loss in their recent match against their arch-rivals, India.
Babar Azam and co will next be in action on October 20 (tomorrow), when Pakistan faces Australia at Bangalore.
Pakistan squad
Babar Azam (c), Shadab Khan, Fakhar Zaman, Imam-ul-Haq, Abdullah Shafique, Mohammad Rizwan, Saud Shakeel, Iftikhar Ahmed, Salman Ali Agha, Mohammad Nawaz, Usama Mir, Haris Rauf, Hasan Ali, Shaheen Afridi, Mohammad Wasim.
Australia squad
Pat Cummins (c), Steve Smith, Alex Carey, Josh Inglis, Sean Abbott, Cameron Green, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Marnus Labuschagne, Mitch Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, Marcus Stoinis, David Warner, Adam Zampa, Mitchell Starc.
