Ahmad Shahzad, a cricketer, has squarely blamed skipper Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan for Pakistan’s disappointing elimination from the T20 World Cup 2024. Shahzad criticized what he described as a “dosti-yaari” group within the team and suggested that this group, including the captain, should be held accountable for Pakistan’s poor performance.
Following Pakistan’s elimination from the tournament due to a match cancellation between the United States and Ireland, Shahzad called for immediate action against the group of 6-8 players, implying they have dragged Pakistan’s performance to a new low. He demanded that senior players, including Babar and Rizwan, be relegated to domestic cricket if they fail to deliver.
Shahzad expressed strong dissatisfaction with Babar Azam’s reinstatement as captain, labeling it a serious mistake. He urged selectors to remove what he referred to as the “fake king” and his associated group from the team, emphasizing the need for a major overhaul to rebuild Pakistan’s cricketing fortunes.
Additionally, Shahzad offered his own services to the national team, stating his availability if selectors believe he can contribute positively.
Supporting Shahzad’s stance, cricket analyst Sikandar Bakht also criticized Babar’s leadership abilities, suggesting a change in captaincy while advocating for the retention of talented young players.
Former cricketer Imran Nazir echoed sentiments about the team’s underwhelming performance under pressure, suggesting they did not deserve to progress to the Super 8 stage given their inconsistent play.
Imam Ul Haq, another Pakistan opener, pinpointed weaknesses in the team’s spinners and middle-order batsmen, emphasizing the need for improvements in Pakistan’s domestic cricket structure and increased incentives for domestic players to enhance overall team performance.