Former Pakistan all-rounder Shahid Afridi has sharply criticized the present nationwide workforce captain, Babar Azam, for assuming captaincy duties from Shaheen Afridi simply earlier than the ICC Males’s T20 World Cup 2024. The criticism comes within the wake of Pakistan’s early exit from the event, following humiliating defeats to the USA and India of their preliminary fixtures.
Disappointing efficiency sparks controversy
Pakistan did not advance past the group stage of the worldwide occasion, triggering a wave of disappointment and controversy. After their poor exhibiting, Afridi didn’t maintain again in expressing his disapproval of Babar’s return to the captaincy. Notably, Babar was reinstated as captain after Shaheen’s temporary and difficult stint as skipper, which included a 1-4 sequence loss to New Zealand in January.
Shahid Afridi’s stinging criticism of Babar Azam
Afridi criticized Babar for not standing by Shaheen when the latter was appointed because the T20I captain. Afridi reckoned that Babar ought to have supported Shaheen’s management and performed underneath him, which might have demonstrated unity and strengthened Babar’s respect inside the workforce. By taking on the captaincy simply earlier than the T20 World Cup 2024, Afridi recommended that Babar undermined Shaheen’s authority and disrupted the workforce’s continuity and morale.
“If the choice on Shaheen’s captaincy had been made and also you [PCB] had acknowledged that he’ll stay the captain until the [T20] World Cup, then I believe Babar [Azam] ought to have supported Shaheen there and will have stated that ‘no, if in case you have made him [Shaheen] the captain, then we’re able to play underneath his captaincy as a result of Shaheen has been enjoying with me for a very long time. If he’s made captain and the choice committee has made him the captain, then sure I’ll assist him and play underneath his captaincy’. That is the stance Babar ought to’ve taken. Babar’s respect would’ve elevated enormously that he has set an instance with a outstanding resolution,” Afridi stated on his YouTube channel.
Additionally READ: Michael Vaughan blasts Pakistan and Babar Azam after dismal efficiency in T20 World Cup 2024
Choice committee shares the blame too
Afridi additionally identified that the choice committee shares the blame for the nationwide workforce’s poor efficiency. He highlighted that some selectors publicly doubted Babar’s captaincy expertise, which probably contributed to the instability and confusion inside the workforce. Afridi implies that the shortage of a transparent and constant management technique from the choice committee has had a detrimental impact on the workforce’s efficiency and cohesion throughout essential tournaments just like the T20 World Cup.
“However this was not totally the fault of Babar as a result of a few of the blame lies with the choice committee too since a few of the selectors on report stated that Babar doesn’t know how you can do captaincy,” he added.
Last recreation towards Eire
Following their early exit from the T20 World Cup 2024, Pakistan are set to face Eire of their remaining league fixture on Sunday, June 16, on the Central Broward Regional Park Stadium Turf Floor in Lauderhill, Florida. The match offers an opportunity for the workforce to salvage some delight and mirror on the teachings realized from a tumultuous event marketing campaign.
