• Sportzyverse
• Cricket news
• 06/05/2024
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In a dramatic prelude to the T20 World Cup, Pakistan cricketers Ahmed Shehzad and Imam-ul-Haq engaged in a fierce debate about Babar Azam’s captaincy on live television. The exchange occurred during a build-up show on Geo TV, highlighting growing tensions within the team as they prepare for their opening match against hosts USA.

Criticism of Babar Azam’s Leadership

Ahmed Shehzad did not hold back when asked about Babar Azam’s leadership and alleged favouritism in player selection. He criticized both Babar and the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) for reinstating him as the white-ball captain just before the T20 World Cup.

“Speaking of Babar Azam, there is friendship. Look, he is carrying players from a long run. The players are out of form for a long time. It doesn’t look good. If I count the number of matches, you’ll realize players don’t get that long run. If there were any other captain, he wouldn’t have carried players for 35-40 games. He should have thought about himself,” Shehzad stated.

He continued, “We don’t play cricket to win bilateral series but to win ICC events. Did we win any event in the last 4-5 years? If we didn’t win, I would say there are gangs, friendships, and tola with an agent who has been manipulating cricket for the last 4-5 years.”

Comparing Babar Azam to MS Dhoni

When Shehzad was reminded that the current squad members debuted under Sarfaraz Ahmed’s captaincy, he highlighted Sarfaraz’s success in winning the 2017 Champions Trophy, a feat Babar has yet to achieve.

“They [Sarfaraz Ahmed and Co.] produced the results, won the Champions Trophy. It justifies, you also win this event and justify. However, you’ve got a longer run, one captain doesn’t get five events. You were removed and then brought back. I understand if you were MS Dhoni that you were brought back. But no. It’s wrong with Shaheen, you made him captain for two matches and then you removed him,” Shehzad argued.

Babar stepped down as Pakistan’s captain after the team’s failure to advance past the group stage in the 2019 ODI World Cup. Shaan Masood was appointed Test captain, while Shaheen Afridi took over the T20 side. However, after a poor series against New Zealand and an underwhelming PSL performance, the PCB reinstated Babar as the white-ball captain.

https://x.com/_hustlegram/status/1798411119842980275

Imam-ul-Haq, another guest on the show, defended Babar’s leadership and the PCB’s decision. He noted that Babar was removed and reinstated without his consent, and highlighted the team’s achievements under his captaincy.

“Babar was removed without his consent and reinstated without his consent as well. The board re-appointed him as captain. In 2021, we reached the semifinals. Later in 2022, we played the final, which means there were performances. We didn’t win, that can be a debate. We didn’t click in the final. You can say Babar likes these lot of players but terming it as friendship is quite personal,” Imam stated.

Also read Jos Buttler Clashes with Journalist Ahead of T20 World Cup 2024

https://x.com/PakPassion/status/1797991706316390440

The discussion escalated into a heated argument when Shehzad accused Imam of benefiting from favouritism, while Imam countered by asserting his consistent stance regardless of his age or contract status.

Ahmed Shehzad retorted, “We understand that Imam is in a central contract, he is young. We spoke the same when were at his age. I’m 34, sick and tired of things. We want things to be better. When you drag players for 4-5 years, you do wrong with those performing in domestic. Someone else takes their rights.”

Imam-ul-Haq responded, “I am in a central contract. I have been playing for the last 6-7 years but I promise you that when I’ll be 36, my stand will be the same. If someone has a problem, they can speak if they are 28 as well. Why don’t you say that?”