Former Pakistan cricketer Basit Ali has slammed Pakistan skipper Babar Azam, claiming he has indulged in PR stunts to save his captaincy. India's arch-rivals have been under the pump, ever since the fiasco at the ODI World Cup 2023.
To top that performance, Pakistan even failed to qualify for the T20 World Cup 2024 knockout rounds. Much was chopped and changed in the Pakistan cricket team, between the two ICC tournaments.
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All-format captain, Babar Azam was removed from his role after a digraceful 2023 World Cup campaign. Speedster Shaheen Shah Afridi was chosen as replacement skipper.
However, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) reverted back to their choice, sacking Shaheen after only a few games in charge. Azam was again chosen as the leader, going into the T20 World Cup 2024.
Former Pakistan player, Basit Ali has called out Babar Azam for carrying out PR stunts to sideline captaincy candidates like Shaheen Afridi and Mohammad Rizwan.
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What did Basit Ali say about Babar Azam's PR stunt on Shaheen Afridi?
Basit Ali has stated that the PR of Babar Azam is working behind the scenes, to plot moves against Mohammad Rizwan and Shaheen Shah Afridi. If at all you are blaming the seniors, Ali has suggested that all three should be blamed.
The PR report is being prepared against the likes of Shaheen Shah Afridi and Mohammad Rizwan. God forbid, if such things happen, it would be bad for Pakistan cricket, Basit Ali stated.
You cannot put all the blame on the shoulders of two, showing one as the hero. Put the blame on all three players' shoulders. What has Babar even done, 53-year-old added.
His captaincy at the last few ICC tournaments has been shambolic. You removed Shaheen Afridi as captain after just five matches. How would he have felt!, Basit Ali questioned.
“Babar Azam is doing lobby against Shaheen & Rizwan to save himself” - Basit Ali
— \o/¹⁰🐐|Shahid Afridiʼs era❤️🔥 (@LoyalAfridian10) July 10, 2024
its nothing Baber is so power greedy now he is again doing paid PR to save his captaincy! shame on selfish bobzy for ruining Pakistan cricket!pic.twitter.com/5M1f2EA7ur
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What next for Pakistan?
Pakistan will play a two-match Test series against Bangladesh, as a part of the ongoing World Test Championship 2023-25 cycle. The two Asian giants are set to play the inaugural game at Rawalpindi from August 21, 2024.
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