Imad Wasim and Abdul Razzaq want Babar Azam to resign. In the wake of Pakistan’s lackluster performance in the ongoing ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023, demands for Babar Azam’s resignation as captain have reached a crescendo.
With only four wins out of eight games, the Men in Green find themselves precariously positioned in fifth place with a net run rate of 0.036, teetering on the brink of elimination.
Former all-rounder Abdul Razzaq, speaking on the Geo News program ‘Harna Mana Hai,’ asserted that Babar should step down from the captaincy voluntarily to set an example. Razzaq drew parallels with Virat Kohli’s improved performance post-captaincy and criticized the team’s selection over the past two years.
He also commended Afghanistan for their stellar performance in the recent eight-wicket victory over Pakistan, suggesting that other teams may not relish seeing Pakistan triumph due to their formidable squad.
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Joining the chorus, all-rounder Imad Wasim advised Babar to relinquish the captaincy willingly, particularly after a World Cup loss.
Pacer Muhammad Amir attributed Pakistan’s string of defeats in the 10-team tournament to what he succinctly termed as “bad selection.”
Recent sources indicate that Babar Azam is likely to step down as the captain of white-ball cricket upon returning from India.
The 29-year-old has reportedly sought counsel on his future, engaging with former Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Ramiz Raja and close associates.
During training at Kolkata’s Eden Gardens, Babar sought advice from Raja, with insiders suggesting that he might step down from leadership across all three formats.
Despite entering the World Cup as the top-ranked ODI batter, Babar’s average of 40.28 trails behind three teammates, and critics have found his leadership uninspiring.
While acknowledging his underwhelming World Cup performance, Babar denies feeling pressure from captaincy affecting his batting form.
He maintains that he will make a decision on his future upon returning to Pakistan and addresses the myriad opinions about him, suggesting those with genuine advice reach out directly.
As Imad Wasim and Abdul Razzaq want Babar Azam to resign, the cricketing world now awaits Babar Azam’s decision as the Pakistan team faces a crucial match against England, with their World Cup fate hanging in the balance.
