Pakistan is unduly dependent on its former captain, Babar Azam, according to former Indian cricket player Harbhajan Singh. After the Men in Green’s Test and T20I series defeats in Australia and New Zealand, respectively, he made these remarks.
In the most recent Test series in Australia, the Shan Masood-led team was thoroughly humiliated, losing 0–3. Then, in the away T20I series, they were defeated 1-4 by New Zealand, captained by Shaheen Afridi. Harbhajan gave incisive insights on the difficulties affecting the Pakistan cricket team, highlighting the necessity for the players to restore their confidence through reliable performances.
The renowned off-spinner thinks that Pakistan’s collapse in all formats can be attributed to their inability to perform as a unit. To illustrate why Babar is carrying so much burden, Harbhajan used Virat Kohli as an example.
Teams don’t win solely because of one player- Harbhajan Singh, on the Pakistan team not performing well as a unit
It is a typical propensity in both of our countries to often praise one player extensively, often forgetting the achievements of other players, according to the former cricket player Harbhajan Singh who is now a commentator, as reported by Cricket Pakistan.
“Babar is a good player, but alongside him, there are other talented players in the team as well. It’s a common tendency in both of our countries that we often praise one player extensively, sometimes overlooking the contributions of other players,” he said.
“While Virat Kohli is often praised, similarly, there’s much talk about Babar. However, teams don’t win solely because of one player; they win when the entire team performs well,” he added.
Babar Azam’s Test series against Australia was forgettable; he scored just 126 runs at a subpar average of 21 in six innings. But against the Kiwis, the right-hander scored 213 runs at a strike rate of 142 and an average of 42.60 in five T20Is, including three half-centuries.
Harbhajan Singh went on to say that:
“The other players in the team also need recognition because, ultimately, it’s the collective effort of the team that makes it strong. No doubt, Babar is a quality player, and I hope he starts scoring runs.”
“The other players in the team are also quality players, and they need to collaborate to strengthen the team and achieve victory,” he stated.
This decision is one of the reasons that Pakistan’s cricket has progressed backward- Harbhajan Singh on Babar Azam stepping down as Pakistan captain
Harbhajan Singh went on to say that Pakistan’s downfall was caused by Babar Azam’s failure to make a prompt decision regarding his captaincy. In the 2023 ODI World Cup points standings, the Men in Green finished fifth , and Azam resigned as captain of all forms.
When Harbhajan Singh thought back on the recent change in leadership, he blamed Pakistan’s poor World Cup performance. Although he acknowledged the importance of cricket to Pakistan and India, he said he thought the decision might not have been made at the right time.
“The change in captaincy was a reaction to the World Cup. Pakistan’s team did not perform well, and it was a reaction to that. It’s evident that cricket holds significant importance in both India and Pakistan and if a team doesn’t perform well in the World Cup, it can have a profound impact on players’ careers,” he reflected.
“I think it was a reaction, but I believe the decision was not taken at the right time. Sometimes, a decision made too late can set you back, and perhaps this decision is one of the reasons that Pakistan’s cricket has progressed backward rather than forward,” he further added.
Prior to the 2024 T20 World Cup, the Men in Green will next compete in a four-game T20I series in England in May.
Also Read: ICC T20 World Cup 2024: “Calls for Resolution of NOC Issues In Pakistan Cricket”- Salman Butt
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