Pakistan batsman Imam-ul-Haq has put his weight behind the criticized skipper Babar Azam as Pakistan face an early exit in the T20 World Cup.
Losing two consecutive matches against USA and India in Group A, Pakistan’s campaign is now in jeopardy. The 2009 title winners fought back to beat Canada and keep alive their hopes of reaching the ‘Super 8s’, but no fate is longer in their hands alone.
The flash floods in Florida threaten to wash out all three remaining matches in Group A, while Pakistan desperately want Ireland to beat USA before they take on the Irish team in the concluding fixture of the group.
In case there is no result between USA and Ireland on June 14, Pakistan will be out of the contest and co-hosts USA will join India as Group A’s two teams that proceed into the next stage.
All this time when there are many qualification scenarios surrounding them, one continues hearing about how lackluster Babar Azam has been especially with regard to losing to arch rivals India from a winning position.
There was nothing ambiguous about Ahmed Shehzad’s criticism of his side, including questioning Babar’s record both as an international player and captain at ICC events. He has also queried why Azam Khan who is unfit according to his standards was given preference over others with better fitness records even though he used social media platforms mostly for body shaming due to his heavy build.
Yet another Pakistani batter, Imam ul Haq voiced support for Babr by referring at those who scoffed at body-shaming while having harsh words regarding captain of national team respectively.
“If it is respect thing going on for Azam Khan don’t body shame him then it should be the same with Babar also…He also played for Pakistan, has played 250 International Matches. You showed me 20 stats related World Cup but what I am asking if he played with 50 average in all three formats then who will answer (consider) that?” Imam said on a Pakistani TV show.
“You are criticizing on national TV, it’s your right you are the Pakistan team… but remember this thing, don’t take out respect. He is your captain. You want to remove him from captaincy, do that nobody has any problem. You don’t call him King anymore; ok! His fans have made him what you say doesn’t matter,” he added.
Babar was re-appointed as Pakistan captain for white ball cricket after he resigned from the position following last year’s ODI World Cup in India where Pakistan did not perform well.
Babar stepped down and fast bowler Shaheen Shah Afridi took over as the skipper for one series before Paksitan Cricket Board returned back Babar at the helm of their team.
On that note, so far in this T20 World Cup, Babar’s knocks do not look too bad especially in US pitches which have not been good for batting. His highest score of 44 against USA came while his performance was below par during the match against India with only 13 runs. Against Canada Babar scored 33 runs.
“Imam said, ‘Babar does not have to be justified.’ Our problem is that he has never won you any match as a captain. Therefore, he must be questioned. For those who can’t, then do change him…however, respect should be maintained.”
