Pakistan team has prepared all they can, for the upcoming ICC T20 World Cup 2024. Babar Azam & Co. played a total of three bilateral series, to be best equipped to face the world in the United States.
Babar Azam stated that the team is selected on merit, and not under the influence of any one person. The fans and people criticise for no reason. When we perform well, you should praise us too, ahead of the T20 World Cup.
Former Pakistan opener Ahmed Shahzad questioned Babar Azam's leadership credentials, after timely failures in ICC tournaments, let alone the bilateral series.
Shahzad has questioned the continuous backing of certain players by the Pakistan skipper, after he was given the responsibility of the whole country.
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What did Ahmed Shahzad say about Babar Azam's leadership?
Former Pakistan opener, Ahmed Shahzad has reminded the viewers and fans regarding the same players that have been backed and selected by the captain, over and over again. Azam earlier opined that the selection is done on merit, but Shahzad disagreed with the statement.
We are not even criticising you yet. You are obviously trying to save yourself after the defeat. You need to own up that these are my boys whom I have backed since the past four years. The whole team combination has been disrupted for some time now, but those 'four-five' players' positions in the team, have remained intact, Ahmed Shahzad expressed.
Shahzad has suggested that being the skipper, Babar should lead the team, and own his mistakes, rather than playing blame games on others. As a captain, Babar should face the defeat by leading from the front.
You need to play on the players' strengths. You have given these players a career from scratch. You were given the responsibility to represent a population of 24 Crore people. Have you fulfilled the responsibility?
A leader has to lead the team from the front. We are not talking about your individual records and performances. You had the command, and you were given the baton by the management (Pakistan Cricket Board).
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The 32-year-old cricketer revealed how the PCB had given the reins in Azam's hands after all the senior players had retired/were not considered anymore. The skipper has backed the same set of players for many years now, but Pakistan have failed as a team, in the recent past.
You had no senior players around you, to avoid ego clashes. You had everything at your own disposal. After the dismal results, at least once, should the leader own up and say, 'it is my fault'.
If you play blame games (like you do), then there will not be a sense of harmony within the squad. You advice players on their weaknesses in private, or team meetings. You cannot slam players in public. As a good leader, you need to own up the mistakes of your team.
ایک مرتبہ تو مانیں کہ آپ کی غلطی ہے، ذمہ داری اپنے اوپر لیا کریں، احمد شہزاد pic.twitter.com/1ctojIgKhw
— Geo News Urdu (@geonews_urdu) May 31, 2024
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What next for Pakistan?
After a heavy defeat against England in the bilateral series, Pakistan have shifted their focus on to the T20 World Cup. The Babar Azam-led side will face hosts the United States of America on June 06, 2024, at the Grand Prairie Stadium in Dallas.
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