Even though Babar Azam is the leading run-getter in T20Is, Kris Srikanth wants the Pakistan skipper to retire from the format. Babar Azam was castigated by Krishnamachari Srikanth as the former India opener demanded the T20I resignation of the Pakistan skipper following the flop show of the Green Army at the ICC World Cup 2024 on Sunday. Before Babar Azam aced the chase for the 2009 champions in their final fixture of the ICC event, Srikanth urged the under-fire batter to avoid playing the shortest format of the game.
Pakistan, last edition’s runners-up, suffered a premature exit from Group A in the 2024 T20 World Cup, co-hosted by the United States of America and former champions West Indies. With Babar Azam at the helm, Pakistan finished behind arch-rivals India and co-hosts USA in Group A. Pakistan’s exit from the T20 World Cup occurred prior to its final Group A fixture against Ireland. Babar Azam and Co. were knocked out of the World Cup after the rain abandoned the USA’s game against Ireland.
Babar Azam powers Pakistan to nervy win over Ireland
Rescuing Pakistan from another batting collapse, Babar Azam remained unbeaten to help the former champions salvage some pride against Ireland. Babar scored 32 off 34 balls as Pakistan chased down the 107-run target in 18.5 overs. Ireland reduced Pakistan 95-7 before Babar Azam revived the run chase of the Asian giants. Pakistan skipper Babar Azam batted at a strike rate of 94.12.
Babar Azam performance in T20 World Cup 2024
The Pakistan captain smashed only two fours in his match-winning knock against Ireland at the Central Broward Regional Park Stadium Turf Ground. Babar Azam finished his campaign with 122 runs in four games at the T20 World Cup. The former World No.1 batter averaged 40.66 for the Green Army in the ICC event. During the group stage of the ICC event, Babar Azam surpassed Virat Kohli to become the all-time leading run-getter in the history of the shortest.
Kris Srikanth launched a scathing attack on the Pakistan skipper while speaking to a TV channel which was true to the character of the game played by Pakistan in this World Cup.
Kris Srikanth questions Babar Azam’s skills in T20 cricket
Former India batter Krishnamachari Srikanth reckons Pakistan skipper Babar Azam should not play T20 cricket. While questioning the batter’s skills in the format, Srikanth opined that his strike rate is just not good enough although he’s the leading run-getter in T20Is.
Babar-led Pakistan crashed out of the 2024 T20 World Cup owing to losses against United States and India in the group stage. They went down to the US in the Super Over and lost to India by six runs in a low-scoring game.
Speaking about the skipper’s performance, the batter scored 44 off 43 against USA, 13 off 10 against India and a run-a-ball 33 against Canada. The 29-year-old has come in for a lot of criticism over both his batting and leadership.
Mincing no words, former India opener Srikanth said that Babar should quit playing T20 cricket in the wake of Pakistan’s abysmal T20 World Cup returns.
“I don’t think Babar should play T20 cricket. I mean you can’t do this tuk-tuking all the time in T20 cricket. They say Babar scored 4,000 runs like Virat or Rohit, but his strike rate is only 112-115 what are you talking about?,” Srikanth said on Star Sports, as quoted as saying by India Today.
Meanwhile, Pakistan are taking on Ireland in their last Group A match of the 2024 T20 World Cup at the Central Broward Regional Park Stadium Turf Ground in Lauderhill, Florida. Opting to bowl first after winning the toss, Pakistan held Ireland to 106-9 in their 20 overs as Shaheen Afridi and Imad Wasim claimed three scalps each, while Mohammad Amir picked up two.
Babar Azam’s record in T20I record
Heading into the match against Ireland on Sunday, Babar had 4,113 runs in 115 innings at an average of 40.72 and a strike rate of 129.46, with three hundreds and 36 half-centuries. Star Indian batter Virat Kohli is second on the list with 4,042 runs in 112 innings at an average of 49.90 and a strike rate of 137.90, with one hundred and 37 half-centuries.
Men in Blue skipper Rohit Sharma also has the same number of runs as Kohli in T20Is. The Indian opener has 4,042 runs from 146 innings at an average of 31.82 and a strike rate of 139.66, with five tons and 30 fifties.