‘Babar Azam Hiding Behind 7 Selectors, Pakistan Cricket Team Looks Like A Franchise Side’: PAK Under Fire For Selection Chaos

Babar Azam and his current Pakistan cricket team have been subjected to a brutal assessment from its former cricketers, including Basit Ali, Sikandar Bakht, and current Pakistan player Ahmad Shehzad. This highlights simmering discontent within Pakistani cricket circles after a woeful performance in the T20I series against England.

“Babar Azam is hiding behind seven selectors,” Shehzad said in a chat on Geo News, suggesting a lack of clear vision and consistent selection policies.

Basit Ali’s critique is even more damning. He reportedly compared the Pakistan team to a franchise side, implying a lack of national pride and a focus on individual performances over team goals.

These scathing critiques serve as a wake-up call for the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and the national team management.

Pakistan cricket finds itself at a crossroads. On the one hand, there are issues raised by these former players and international stars, and on the other hand, there is increasing pressure on the team to rediscover its winning identity and regain the hearts of its passionate fanbase. The upcoming T20 World Cup allows the Pakistan team to respond to these criticisms. A strong performance, built on a foundation of clear selection, team spirit, and national pride, would be the best possible response to their detractors. Amidst considerable criticism, Babar has come out in defence of his side, particularly keeper Azam Khan. He urged support for the chosen players for the forthcoming T20 World Cup 2024, set to take place in the United States and the West Indies.

“When we don’t select a player, you ask us why we did not select him. And then, when we select him, you ask us why he was selected. We need to back the players who have been selected,” said Babar Azam at the post-match press conference.

Ahead of Pakistan’s sojourn in the USA and West Indies for the T20 World Cup, Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Mohsin Naqvi has made a bizarre appeal to the fans.

“It is my request that for the next one week, please let’s support our players. We have full trust in them, and each Pakistani must tell them it doesn’t matter if they win or lose: we stand with them,” Naqvi said at Pakistan House in London during a dinner reception.

“If they go to the US [for the T20 World Cup] with this approach, they will bring the World Cup. Please stop criticising them for four weeks,” he said.

Before heading to the USA and West Indies for the upcoming T20 World Cup, Pakistan suffered a 2-0 series loss against defending champions England. Notably, both these two sides met in the last T20 World Cup final in Australia as well.??