Former PCB chairman shows no mercy to criticise Babar Azam’s captaincy post embarrassing World Cup loss to Afghanistan

The performance of Pakistan’s prominent cricketer, Babar Azam, as the captain of the team has come into question following their humiliating 8-wicket defeat to Afghanistan in the 22nd match of the ODI World Cup 2023 on October 23 in Chennai. Many fans and cricket experts, including some from Pakistan, are calling for his resignation from the captaincy role.

In the midst of this, the former chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), Ramiz Raja, recently addressed the issue. He noted that Babar appeared visibly disappointed during the post-match interview with him and raised concerns about Babar’s decision not to assign the crucial over to Hasan Ali in the late stages of the innings, despite the potential for reverse swing.

“Pakistan have a lot of problems to deal with. Babar Azam needs to improve a lot tactically. Hasan Ali was getting the ball to reverse towards the back end of the innings. The equation was run-a-ball at that stage. Pakistan needed wickets, and Hasan Ali looked very close to getting a dismissal. 

What was the need to bowl a spinner from the other end? Losing to Afghanistan will hurt badly. The disappointment was writ large on Babar Azam’s face when I interviewed him… Pakistan have never dealt with a surprising defeat like this one before,” Ramiz was quoted as saying by Zee News.

Pakistan have hit rock bottom: Ramiz Raja

The 1992 World Cup champion also added that the Pakistan cricket team’s management should have some serious discussion about the DNA of the team after the World Cup ends. He believes that the team have hit rock bottom and Babar needs to step up and prove himself before it’s too late for him.

“After this World Cup, there has to be a serious discussion about altering the DNA of this team. They need a complete overhaul in terms of mindset, approach, new talent, and new ideas. We need to improve on each and every aspect. Pakistan have hit rock bottom. Babar Azam needs to step up and prove himself as a leader amid all this,” he said.