After Pakistan were stunned in their opening match of the T20 World Cup 2024 by co-hosts USA in Super Over, there have been questions raised regarding Babar Azam's captaincy.
Former Pakistan cricketer, coach and captain, Misbah-ul-Haq believes that Babar lacked the shrewdness and street smartness that a captain requires in crucial, high-pressure matches.
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He was speaking ahead of the blockbuster match where Pakistan will take on arch-rivals India at the Nassau County International Cricket Stadium, New York, on June 9.
What did Misbah-ul-Haq say about Babar Azam's captaincy ahead of India-Pakistan clash?
Former Pakistan captain Misbah-ul-Haq was speaking on Ten Sports Pakistan, after doubts were raised regarding Babar Azam's captaincy after his team were handed a shocking defeat at the hands of the co-hosts USA.
Misbah questioned Babar's street smartness and ability to make shrewd decision as a captain of the Pakistan cricket team:
"In crucial matches, while defending a target, Babar Azam doesn't have the shrewdness and street smartness that you need."
"Even in terms of selection, we've seen this since the ODI World Cup and Asia Cup that when something isn't working, you don't search for a solution. You think it'll just happen, but it doesn't. You have to find a solution," he added.
Talking about the USA-Pakistan upset at Dallas, the former cricketer questioned several decisions made by Babar, which eventually led to a loss in the match and a setback in the context of the World Cup tournament.
"Then there are crucial decisions, like bowling a non-regular off-spinner to two set right-handers. You suddenly bring [Mohammad] Amir with the new ball ahead of Naseem [Shah]. With death bowling, we bowl full-pitched slower ones or yorkers with the mid-off up. So many boundaries are hit over mid-off, but we don't learn," Misbah said.
Naseem Shah was a hero with the bat during the 2022 Asia Cup, when he smashed back-to-back sixes against Afghanistan in the final over, taking Pakistan to the Final. Misbah questioned the team's decision to send Haris Rauf ahead of Naseem in the batting order.
"Naseem has won matches with the bat and can easily hit 2-3 sixes; his confidence level is different, so why are you sending Haris Rauf ahead of him?", he questioned.
Misbah raised another talking point of Pakistan bowlers not using the bouncer against relatively inexperienced batting unit of the USA, which was also expressed by the commentators, including Wasim Akram, during the broadcast.
"With the new ball, you're controlling the game as a captain, and you know you have 3 bowlers who bowl 140+. In the first 6 overs, there isn't a single bouncer against a team like the USA. When the ball is reversing, you're only focused on saving runs, not taking wickets."
Pakistan will next face India in an important match at the Nassau County Stadium, New York, on June 9, which will be a crucial result in the context of the group standings in the T20 World Cup 2024.
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