Firstly,Pakistan cricket is facing intense scrutiny as their T20 World Cup2024 campaign gets off to a disappointing start. Captain Babar Azam is bearing the brunt of the criticism after the team lost their first two matches to the USA and India. Among the critics is Pakistan cricketer Ahmed Shehzad, who recently delivered a scathing rant against Babar on live television, accusing him of underperformance and favoritism.
Shehzad’s Fiery Rant
Poor Performance in Big Matches
In his explosive rant, Ahmed Shehzad highlighted Babar Azam’s poor statistics in significant tournaments, claiming that the Pakistan skipper averages only 27 in T20I cricket during big events. Shehzad expressed frustration over Pakistan’s losses to not only top teams but also to less competitive sides under Babar’s captaincy.
Losing to Mediocre Teams
“Ever since Babar became captain, we have been losing to mediocre teams,” Shehzad said on a TV show, in a video that has since gone viral. He emphasized that these consistent losses were expected given the team’s performance trajectory.
Veteran Players’ Responsibility
Failure to Chase Against India
Shehzad criticized Pakistan’s senior players for not stepping up during the crucial match against India, where they failed to chase down a target of 120 runs. He questioned why these experienced players did not take responsibility to ensure a win in such an important game.
“There are players who have been taking care of the team for the last 4-5 years. Wasn’t it their duty to ensure that the team chases down 120 against India?” Shehzad asked.
Illusion of Success
Furthermore,Shehzad accused the team of creating an illusion of success by performing well against weaker teams. “You have performed against B, C, D teams and fooled the people,” he said, adding that this deceptive performance led to salary hikes and a sense of false progress within the team.
Babar Azam’s Statistics
Runs in Losing Causes
However,Shehzad claimed that 1400 of Babar’s T20I runs have come in losing causes, placing him at No. 3 in the world for this statistic. He questioned the value of these runs and what they contribute to the team’s success.
“Your scores in big competitions…your average is 27 and strike rate is 112. And 1400 of your runs have come in losing causes. So, what should I do with this king who can’t win us the match?” Shehzad asked rhetorically.
Accusations of Favoritism
Friends in the Team
In a shocking allegation, Shehzad accused Babar of selecting his friends for the team, which he believes has undermined the squad’s overall performance. “You are making a team with your friends, keeping your friends in the team,” Shehzad claimed, asserting that this favoritism has fooled the entire public.
Last but not least,Ahmed Shehzad’s criticism of Babar Azam has sparked significant controversy in Pakistan cricket. As the team faces a must-win situation in their upcoming matches, these accusations add pressure on both the captain and the players to deliver better performances. The T20 World Cup2024 continues to be a challenging journey for Pakistan, with hopes pinned on reversing their fortunes in the games ahead.
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