The rage of fans, pundits and former players who are calling for explanations from captain Babar Azam and the Pakistan Cricket Board continues to be invited by Pakistan’s narrow defeat in a thrilling Group A match against rivals India last Sunday at the ongoing T20 World Cup.
However, led by spearhead bowler Jasprit Bumrah (3 for 14) who was declared the ‘Player of the Match’, India made a comeback from an uphill task when they restricted Pakistan to 113 for 7 thus winning by 6 runs.
In fact, after losing their opening game against co-hosts USA, this is Pakistan’s second consecutive defeat which has pushed ex-players to question captaincy, selection committee and PCB over declining cricket standards in Pakistan.
In an interview that went viral on social media, Shehzad said: “Ever since Babar became captain we’ve been losing to mediocre teams” while explaining his opinion on one TV programme.
“These things were expected given the way progress was moving.” WATCH VIDEO
Pakistan’s highest scorer in this run chase was wicketkeeper-batsman Mohammad Rizwan with 31; but once he fell off Bumrah’s spells in the fifteenth over it seemed like all hell broke loose as pressure started mounting and team became victims of same at Nassau County International Cricket Stadium in New York.
Shehzad questioned: “So wasn’t it their duty to take responsibility for ensuring that we chased down 120 runs against India?”
Second best run-getter during this chase was Imad Wasim who faced 23 balls but scored only 15 runs.
“You guys have performed against B, C, D teams. You have hallucinated upon people,” Shehzad said. “PCB raised your salaries so that you could develop yourself and your cricket…”
He further displayed a paper containing some statistics about Babar Azam’s performance at major tournaments and sarcastically addressed him as ‘king’ in the beginning.
For example, his average is 27 and strike rate is 112 for big competitions. Moreover, he has scored 1400 of his runs at No.3 place on that list which is the second most in losing cause on earth. So can you tell me stats of whom? What should I do with this king who can’t win us the match?” Shehzad said.
The video ended with Shehzad accusing Babar of bias.
In fact, you have deceived everyone. You have team made up of your friends.
