Since the time Babar Azam took over as the captain of the Pakistan team, his captaincy was questioned and severely criticized. Former Pakistan cricketer Sikander Bhakt questioned his (Babar) ‘psyche’ and opted that the team is currently created for only three players.
‘The middle order has been a persistent concern, yet it seems this Pakistan team is designed around just three players – Babar, Rizwan, and Fakhar. We had nine games leading up to the World Cup, but the middle order hardly got any practice. Iftikhar Ahmed was once again pushed down the order, and Shadab Khan was promoted,’ Sikander Bhakt highlighted during a conversation on Geo Super.
Babar Azam does not want to give away his place in the team- Sikander Bhakt
Sikander Bhakt was not holding back while criticizing Shadab Khan in the context of Pakistan’s recent struggle against England. Bhakt was straightforward when criticizing Shadab’s both batting and balling performance.
“I have said this before, and I am repeating it: Shadab has a misconception that he is a good batter. Someone needs to tell him that he should bat lower. I wonder what sort of cricketers these are, but Babar Azam does not want to give away his place and won’t come down the captaincy. Babar Azam’s psyche is beyond understanding. So, it is a peculiar situation that goes beyond my understanding,” Bhakt stated.
In the meanwhile, Babar Azam-led Pakistan team will be facing England in the third T20I of the ongoing series on Tuesday (May 28).
Having lost the second T20I by 23 runs in Birmingham, the third match is an absolute must-win for Babar and his team. If Pakistan were to lose this four-match series, England would be sealing off the last international series before the start of the T20 World Cup.
If counted in terms of individual records, Babar Azam may get a chance to create history by becoming the highest run-scorer in T20I history. The 29-year-old orthodox batter crossed Rohit Sharma’s 3974 runs in the T20I during the second T20I. He needs 51 more runs to cross Virat Kohli’s target of amassing 4037 runs in the shortest format of the game.
Also Read: ENG vs PAK: Babar Azam Vows To Bring Positive Intent And Aggression To T20I Series In England