Former Pakistan cricketer Shoaib Malik didn’t mince words when assessing the performance of Babar Azam and the Pakistan team during the T20 World Cup 2024. Pakistan’s dismal show in the tournament left them failing to qualify even for the Super 8 stage. Shoaib boldly stated that Babar Azam considered Pakistan’s best player, wouldn’t even make it into a top international side.
Babar Azam’s poor campaign at T20 WC
The T20 World Cup 2024 was a forgettable campaign for Pakistan. They started with a loss against the USA in a thrilling Super Over clash and suffered a 6-run defeat against arch-rivals India. It marked the first time since 2007 that Pakistan faced such an early ouster in the tournament.
Speaking at a talk show, Shoaib Malik posed a pointed question: “Who is our best player? Our best player is Babar Azam. I am just talking about the top 4-5 teams. Can Babar fit into the playing XI of those teams—Australia, India, or England—in this particular format? The answer is NO!”
Shoaib Malik 🗣️: Babar Azam cant be fitted in any top international side like India, Australia, England etc. He further said .. Even Nepal will not pick Babar Azam in their team. #INDvsENG #INDvSA #PakistanCricket pic.twitter.com/iGhlznQ6Kk
— Ramiz Raju Ratio (@NasserHussRRR) June 29, 2024
Shoaib’s criticism highlights the challenges faced by Babar Azam as both a player and captain. Despite his re-appointment as skipper, Babar couldn’t deliver the desired results for the team. Shoaib’s candid remarks underscore the scrutiny faced by Pakistan cricket and the need for improvement at the international level.
