India vs. Pakistan is the most anticipated match of an ICC event for a reason, not only because of the atmosphere and fanfare, but also because of the importance of the two teams. It frequently determines how the two teams will play the remainder of the tournament. Furthermore, every mistake made during that one game is scrutinized more closely and frequently with greater rigor.
India crushed Pakistan last Saturday at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, losing the World Cup 2023 by seven wickets. After the match, former Pakistan captain Shoaib Malik criticised current captain Babar Azam, raising doubts about his ability to lead in the format.
The legendary Wasim Akram, who was on the panel, was also called out by Pakistan’s finest Muhammad Yousuf, who took offense at Malik’s remarks.
Following Pakistan’s eighth World Cup defeat to India, Malik questioned Babar’s ability to think creatively in his role as captain and added that if he gave up the captaincy, it would help him develop as a batter and help the team more effectively.
“I previously expressed the view that Babar Azam ought to relinquish his captaincy. This is what I personally think. In his role as captain, Babar does not think creatively. Although he is leading, there is no progress. As a player, he can work wonders for Pakistan,” he remarked.
Pakistan’s captain should be Shaheen Afridi instead of Babar.
Malik went on to say that Shaheen Afridi ought to take Babar’s place as captain, pointing to the player’s PSL leadership skills with the Lahore Qalandars.
“Shaheen Afridi ought to take over as captain of white ball cricket in the event that Babar Azam steps down. He has led the Lahore Qalandars in attack admirably,” he said in closing.
Yousuf lashes out at Akram for failing to stop Malik from stating that Babar ought to step down as captain during the World Cup.
Disappointed with Malik, former Pakistani batsman Yousuf criticized him for the timing of his statement, saying that Pakistan should have supported their captain instead of making such remarks in the face of extreme pressure following their defeat to India. After mentioning the illustrious Imran Khan, who won the World Cup on his third try as captain, he blasted Akram, a member of Malik’s panel, for failing to interrupt the 41-year-old.
“I don’t think anyone should talk about this during the World Cup,” Second, Imran Khan captained the team twice, in 1983 and 1987, but lost both times before emerging victorious in 1992 on his third try. Any talented player ought to be able to lead his team for an extended period of time.
Because he has the ability, he is the captain. Because of his relationship to the PCB chairman, he was not promoted to captain. He truly is a skipper. Therefore, disparaging him in this way is detrimental to both Pakistan and him, especially in light of the tremendous pressure that followed that defeat to India. Wasim Akram, who was seated there, did not stop him either, which astounds me,” he remarked.
