'Wish Babar Azam Becomes a Matchwinner Like Virat Kohli': Shahid Afridi Draws Comparison With India Superstar After Slamming Selectors For 'Wrong Decision'

The Pakistan cricket team has been facing the heat following their early exit from the ongoing T20 World Cup. The Babar Azam-led side lost their first two matches including a shock defeat to USA and a close loss to arch-rivals India.

Pakistan did beat Canada for their first win of the competition but USA pipped them to join India from Group A into the Super Eight stage.

Babar, who failed to get going with the bat, is facing criticism for his captaincy too.

Also Read: India-W vs South Africa-W Full Schedule

Legendary allrounder Shahid Afridi though feels that while the questions over Babar’s captaincy are fair but he has been the most consistent performer for Pakistan.

“Fellow cricket lovers on social media should criticise Babar’s captaincy but consistent players like him are rare in Pakistan cricket,” Afridi said on his YouTube channel. “Babar’s individual performances have been good. Yeah, it’s true he hasn’t been able to perform in the world cup.”

Afridi says he has always hoped Babar turns a matchwinner like India batting superstar Virat Kohli who developed himself into one during the course of what has been a memorable career.

“I’ve always wished to see Babar emerge as a matchwinner like we talk about Virat Kohli. He wasn’t a matchwinner from day 1 but he has developed himself,” he said.

Afridi though feels that the decision to reappoint Babar as T20I captain despite him not showing any improvement into the role in his first stint was wrong.

“Babar Azam is being criticised. It happens because he’s the captain. I am an admirer of Babar (but) he’s been given 3-3.5 years as captain and there hasn’t been any eye-catching result nor there has been any improvement. The first question to the selection committee is that when he didn’t show any improvement (before), (why) he was reappointed as captain? As a player we have never criticised Babar but only his captaincy. A leader’s decision matters a lot – it can change the outcome of a match, a captain should be able to engage with players. So these are few things Babar has been unable to improve on,” Afridi said.

“This question has to be asked (to the selection committee) why Babar was reappointed as captain. Mohammad Rizwan was the next best option after Babar. Rizwan has a positive body language, doesn’t indulge in blame game,” he added.

Afridi also feels that Babar should have thrown his weight behind Shaheen Afridi who was leading Pakistan in T20Is before being sacked right before the world cup.

“I think when the decision to appoint Shaheen as captain till the world cup was taken then Babar should have shown his support. He should have backed him and taken a stance. Babar’s respect would have risen. That didn’t happen but I won’t blame Babar for this. Selection committee is responsible,” he said.

There have been rumours of Pakistan team management making wholesale changes following the world cup debacle. However, Afridi feels that such a decision won’t be practical since there aren’t any quality replacements for players like Babar and Rizwan.

“What I am hearing is that 8-9 players will be removed,” Afridi said. “You can only do that when there are ready replacements. If you are thinking of removing Babar as a player, do they have a performer like him? Do they have someone like Rizwan?”

“You have to start respecting your domestic players who play entire year and produce (consistent) performances. If we ignore that and bring in someone on the basis of one-two performances then we are being unfair to them (domestic players). Send players like Azam Khan and Saim Ayub to domestic cricket and ask them to play for 2 straight years. This (talk) should come from the selection committee.”

Afridi also requested the fans on social media to avoid launching personal attacks on Babar.

“I request to users on social media to avoid making personal and insulting remarks against Babar. He needs our support,” he said.

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