"Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan won't make it into the top international T20 teams"- Michael Vaughan cuts down Pakistan legends

Published - 15 Jun 2024, 11:27 AM | Updated - 23 Aug 2024, 01:13 AM

Michael Vaughan and Babar Azam
Michael Vaughan and Babar Azam (Image Credits: Twitter)

Former England captain Michael Vaughan expressed doubts about the Pakistan team's capabilities in T20 cricket after the Men in Green's exit from the ongoing T20 World Cup 2024. Michael Vaughan said that Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan, and other players could not make it into the top teams in the T20 format.

The Babar Azam-led team's chances of reaching the T20 World Cup Super 8s were dashed by rain. Their fate depended on the outcome of the USA vs Ireland match in Florida on Friday, June 14. However, the match was abandoned due to a wet outfield. The USA earned a crucial point and secured a spot in the Super 8s.

Pakistan secured only two points from their initial three matches in Group A of the ICC tournament. India had already advanced to the Super 8s with three consecutive victories in the group stage. The USA team, with two victories and one loss out of four matches, finished in second place in Group A with five points.

Don't Think They Have The Skill Set - Michael Vaughan

Speaking on Cricbuzz, Michael Vaughan expressed doubts about the Pakistan players' skill sets, stating that they lack many exceptional T20 players. Vaughan questioned if Babar Azam would qualify for top T20 teams like England, Australia, India, or the West Indies.

"I don't think they have the skill set of what I've seen in the past from Pakistan cricket in T20 cricket. I honestly don't think they've got many great T20 players. Babar Azam is exceptional, but would he make England's, Australia's, India's, or the West Indies' T20 teams? Probably not," Vaughan said.

The cricketer-turned-commentator highlighted Shaheen Shah Afridi's potential to fit into some top teams. Vaughan mentioned Rizwan, Fakhar Zaman, Imad Wasim, Mohammad Amir, and Haris Rauf as good T20 players but doubted their suitability for top international teams.

"Shaheen Shah Afridi would probably get into some of those teams because he's outstanding. Rizwan, Fakhar Zaman, Imad Wasim, Mohmmad Amir, and Haris Rauf are good T20 players. But how many would make it into top teams? Not many," he added.

They Have No Clue How To Beat India - Michael Vaughan

Michael Vaughan criticized Pakistan's mental toughness against India, noting their inability to secure victories in crucial matches. He stated that Pakistan should have comfortably won their last game against India in the World Cup but lacked the winning mentality.

"Mentally, they have no clue how to beat India. That's true. I could see it in the chase. They should have absolutely strolled that game. There's only one winner because India knows how to win and they have the mentality to get over the line, and for whatever reason, Pakistan just doesn't seem to have that kind of swagger," Vaughan concluded.

Pakistan reached the final match of the last edition of the T20 World Cup under Babar Azam's leadership. However, the Pakistani team failed to secure a victory against England in Melbourne to clinch their second title. It's worth mentioning that the Men in Green lost to India in the tournament in a group stage encounter.

Also read: South Africa, West Indies kicked aside as Brad Hogg names T20 World Cup 2024 finalists

Tagged:

Michael Vaughan Babar Azam Mohammad Rizwan Pakistan national cricket team ICC T20 World Cup