Former PCB chairman Zaka Ashraf has opened up on Babar Azam’s cussed nature as Pakistan captain. Ashraf claimed that Babar Azam was requested to take away a couple of underperforming gamers from the staff however the Pakistan captain refused to take action.
Zaka Ashraf was the chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) throughout the ODI World Cup 2023, which was performed in India. Earlier than the World Cup, the Asia Cup was performed during which Pakistan carried out poorly and couldn’t qualify for the ultimate.
Pakistan’s disappointing efficiency continued within the World Cup because the staff didn’t qualify for the semi-final. In consequence, Babar’s captaincy got here beneath the scanner and specialists demanded his resignation from the function.
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Zaka Ashraf breaks silence on Babar Azam’s cussed nature
Throughout a dialogue on Pakistan’s Samaa TV, Zaka Ashraf remembered the time when he was PCB’s chairman and Babar was the staff’s captain. Ashraf revealed that he had requested Babar to take away the underperforming gamers from the staff however Babar didn’t comply with him.
“The World Cup (2023) was about to return. So, I did not change something. Once we misplaced within the Asia Cup (2023), I known as Babar Azam, Mohammad Hafeez, and Misbah-ul-Haq. All of us determined and requested Babar to take away some gamers earlier than going to the World Cup as their efficiency was not up to speed,” Ashraf stated.
Former PCB chairman Zaka Ashraf says he urged captain Babar Azam to take away underperforming gamers from the staff earlier than World Cup in India. However Babar refused right away and carried these gamers. Pakistan misplaced within the first spherical 🇵🇰🤯🤯#PAKvBAN pic.twitter.com/ZHjgZCn5TX
— Farid Khan (@_FaridKhan) September 2, 2024
Ashraf additional revealed that he allowed Babar to hold on with the identical gamers because the World Cup was across the nook.
“However Babar Azam took a stand that he will not enable any participant to be eliminated. When he took the stand, we requested him to finish the World Cup because it was across the nook, and stated when you’ll come again, we’ll resolve what is best for Pakistan cricket,” he added.
Pakistan’s efficiency beneath the management of Babar Azam
Pakistan completed fifth within the ODI World Cup 2023. After the World Cup, Babar stepped down from captaincy in Assessments, ODIs, and T20Is. Shaheen Afridi was appointed Pakistan’s new T20I captain and Shan Masood took cost of the Take a look at staff.
Nevertheless, simply earlier than the T20 World Cup 2024, Babar was reinstated again as Pakistan’s T20I captain beneath the brand new PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi. However Pakistan’s efficiency didn’t enhance as they have been eradicated from the group stage of the match and didn’t qualify for the Tremendous Eight stage.
Mohammad Wasim calls Babar Azam “very cussed”
Just lately, former Pakistan’s chief selector Mohammad Wasim had additionally accused Babar of being cussed and never accepting the adjustments within the staff.
“It was painful to make him perceive some great benefits of adjustments. He was very cussed, and I overstepped my limitations to get him on board with sure calls,” Wasim had stated.
Pakistan cricket goes by means of a tough patch presently. The staff is taking part in a two-match Take a look at sequence in opposition to Bangladesh presently during which they’re trailing 0-1 within the two-match sequence.