PAK vs IRE: Salman Butt slams 'self-proclaimed king' Babar Azam for Pakistan's horror show in T20 World Cup

Former cricketer Salman Butt has lashed out at Babar Azam after Pakistan's disastrous show in the ongoing ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2024.

Pakistan's chance of progressing ahead of the group stage is hanging by a thread after their dismal start to the campaign. In the first game, the Babar Azam-led side suffered a shock loss against co-hosts USA. After a poor start with both bat and ball, Pakistan managed to pull things back to force a tie before losing the game in the Super Over.

It was followed by a humiliating 6-run defeat against arch-rivals India. Pakistan's bowlers did well to restrict India to 119 but the batters could not compliment their efforts. In the end, Pakistan finished on 113 for 7. The Men in Green finally opened their account with a win over Canada this week but their chances of progressing ahead are still very slim.

Salman Butt slams Babar Azam:

Following Pakistan's poor show in the T20 World Cup, Babar Azam has faced severe criticism from several quarters. He has been facing the heat not only for his poor captaincy but his batting as well. After scoring 44 runs off 43 balls against the USA, he scored only 13 runs against India as Pakistan lost both games.

Salman Butt has come down hard on the Pakistan captain and took a sly dig at his nickname 'king'. He questioned Babar's ability to win the games single-handedly for his team before saying that the Pakistan captain being compared to Virat Kohli is similar to the click-bait YouTube thumbnails.  

"There is self proclamation that our captain is the king and the other is world's best fast bowler," said Butt with his criticism seemingly directed towards Shaheen Afridi as well.

"Sometimes we compare this guy with (Jasprit) Bumrah and him (Babar) with (Virat) Kohli ... Okay, you touched ICC (top) ranking at one point, but also touch reality sometime. Are you able to win a match on your own? Is there a standing of our team?

"It's similar to those YouTube thumbnails that you are enticed to click and open once."

 

Salman Butt pin point analysis on self proclaimed King, Super stars in our team. They are surviving on the social media pressure.

I have zero respect for those individuals who prefer money over national interest each and every time. pic.twitter.com/g2i6qu399m

— Ahmer Najeeb Satti (@AhmerNajeeb) June 12, 2024

Meanwhile, Pakistan will be taking on Ireland in the final group game. Even if they win the game, they will have to depend on other results for a place in the Super 8s.