Former World Cup winner slams Pakistan skipper Babar Azam for defensive approach

Having started their World Cup campaign with two emphatic wins against Netherlands and Sri Lanka, Pakistan were tipped by fans and pundits alike as one of the four teams to make the semi-finals. However, instead of consolidating their position in the standings, Pakistan have managed to put themselves in a dicey situation at the mid-way stage of the quadrennial event courtesy of three losses on the bounce against the likes of India, Australia and Afghanistan. While the ineffectiveness of their spinners stands out as the reason behind their poor showing, another huge problem for them has been the returns of their captain, Babar Azam who recently turned 29.

In five innings, Babar has scored only 157 runs at an underwhelming average of 31.40. His performances or lack thereof have fetched him a lot of backlash from experts and fans who believe that he has let his team down. Among his critics is former India opener Gautam Gambhir who feels that Babar must lead from the front if Pakistan has to revive their campaign. Ahead of the marquee tournament, Gambhir had predicted that the Pakistani skipper would score 3 to 4 centuries but his poor showings have left a lot to be desired.

Pak skipper faces mounting pressure as Gautam Gambhir calls for aggressive leadership in World Cup campaign

“Babar Azam is under pressure, the entire team is under pressure. Babar has to deliver because he has the reputation, he has class, and he has the ability. I picked Babar Azam in the top 5, I backed him to score 3-4 centuries on the pitches in India. Babar has the ability to do it even now,” Gambhir was quoted as saying while speaking to the broadcaster, Star Sports.

His poor strike rate of 79.69 has not helped the team’s cause either and Gambhir acknowledged that his returns have lacked impact and that they have hurt the side. “He has to score runs and make his team win because if he scored 50 off 60 or 70 balls or scored 80 off 120 balls, there is no use. The way he played against India, it gave me an impression that he put more pressure on the rest of the batting unit and he did not release the pressure”, Gambhir went on to add.

Gambhir also urged Babar to lead the way in playing aggressive cricket as he feels that it is the only way Pakistan can harbour hopes of qualifying for the business end of the World Cup.

“If you want the team to play aggressive cricket, you have to lead from the front. Babar has to play freely, he has to play out-of-the-box cricket, and even out-of-the-box captaincy if Pakistan is to make the semi-final,” he said.