Former Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi raised his concerns about Babar Azam’s captaincy style and his team’s performance at the ongoing 2023 World Cup in India. The 29-year-old gave up under pressure in the game’s crucial stages, failing to motivate the players to put on a valiant performance in the mega event.
Pakistan was served one of the biggest upsets of the World Cup on Monday falling to Afghanistan by an eight-wicket margin. After losing their previous two matches against Australia and India, the team captained by Babar Azam suffered their third consecutive defeat in the competition and his captaincy tactics came under following their dismissals performances.
During an Interview a local media, Speaking about Pakistan’s performance in the ongoing ODI World Cup, Shahid Afridi felt that the squad was waiting for anything to happen because they weren’t aggressive on the field. He also emphasized the value of the captain in the team, who must lead the Men in Green from the front.
“When you are not in the game [not focused], then these things [fielding issues] will happen. When you are trying to hide somewhere, when you are not thinking positively, I think that at times we are waiting for miracles, miracles don’t just happen. They happen with brave men who know how to fight,” Afridi said.
“Look, a captain is everything. If a captain gives his best, dives during the field, backs other players between overs, the entire team will get [more] active, because when they see that the captain is giving his all and we are not, they feel ashamed that my captain is doing so much, why can’t I be the same?” Shahid Afridi added.
Pakistan has a group of players who are incredibly talented on paper but it’s true to argue that they haven’t exactly thrived lately under Babar Azam’s leadership. Against Afghanistan, his strange bowling changes are a glaring example. The fact that the players appeared upset and openly taunted one another shows that Babar does not have good control over the group.
It Is The Captain’s Job To Apply Pressure – Shahid Afridi
Shahid Afridi believes it is the captain’s responsibility to exert pressure on the game. He pushed Babar Azam to be more aggressive in his fielding changes citing the example of the five-time champions Australia, who used to apply pressure if they picked wickets in the middle.
“It is the captain’s job to apply pressure, a pacer is bowling and there is no slip? Four are required on 12 balls and you’ve taken a backward point? Apply pressure. What do the Australians do? They take one to two wickets and then put all of their players in the circle to apply pressure like they did against Pakistan,” he added.
“Captaining your national side is a matter of honour but it is not a bed of roses. When you do good, everyone praises you and when you don’t, everyone blames you as well as the head coach,” Shahid Afridi added.
Babar Azam might continue to serve as the team’s leader if he can disprove his detractors and inspire a great Pakistani comeback during the World Cup. The Men in Green will take on South Africa in their next game on Friday in Chennai.