Former Pakistan cricketer Mohammad Hafeez has publicly criticized Babar Azam for his underwhelming performance in Pakistan’s recent defeat to India in Dubai.
The match ended with India winning by six wickets, and Hafeez wasted no time in pointing out Babar Azam’s inability to perform in high-pressure situations, particularly against India.
During a discussion on the popular show Game On Hai, Hafeez stated that Babar Azam is not the “true king” of cricket. Instead, he lauded Indian cricket star Virat Kohli, who has consistently delivered stellar performances on the world stage.
Hafeez said, “Babar Azam is not the true king. It is Virat Kohli. Look at his performances. He has dominated all over the world. Get out of your PR machinery. We need a performer.”
Babar Azam had started well in the match, scoring 23 runs off 26 balls, including five boundaries. However, he was dismissed by Hardik Pandya in the ninth over, failing to convert his solid start into a substantial score.
Hafeez questioned Babar Azam’s ability to perform in key moments, saying, “Tell me one Player of the Match performance Babar Azam has had against India.”
He drew comparisons to past Pakistani cricketers like Shoaib Akhtar and Younis Khan, whose memorable performances against India are still celebrated in the cricketing world.
Hafeez emphasized the importance of performers like them, who have stepped up in crucial India-Pakistan encounters.
“The reality is that we need to recognize that the players we are relying on are not delivering. We must look beyond them and give opportunities to those waiting in the system,” Hafeez added.
The loss to India leaves Pakistan on the brink of elimination from the ongoing home tournament. With their semifinal hopes hanging by a thread, Pakistan’s next match will be against Bangladesh on Thursday.
On the other hand, India has virtually secured a place in the semifinals with four points and will face New Zealand in their final league game on March 2.
As tensions rise over Pakistan’s chances of advancing, questions remain about Babar Azam’s leadership and ability to perform when it matters most. Will Pakistan move on from their star player, or will he bounce back in the coming games? Only time will tell.
