PAK vs SA: Babar Azam Doesn't Know Anything About Captaincy; Can't Bat Under Pressure - Danish Kaneria

Former Pakistan National Cricket Team leg-spinner Danish Kaneria has criticized Babar Azam, saying that he doesn’t know how to captain a side and he blindly follows the orders of the team management.

Babar Azam’s position as the skipper of Team Pakistan has come under scrutiny following the poor performance of the side in the ICC World Cup 2023.

The Men In Green started their campaign by registering comprehensive wins over the Netherlands and Sri Lanka but since then things have gone downhill for them as they have faced crushing defeats at the hands of India, Australia, and Afghanistan.

On Thursday, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) released a bizarre statement in which they urged the fans to support the team amid struggles and hinted that the position of Babar as skipper could be in jeopardy if the Men In Green don’t improve their performance in the upcoming games.

Babar Azam will only do what is written on paper and given to him – Danish Kaneria

Speaking to Aaj Tak, Kaneria opined that Babar doesn’t have the ability to bat under pressure and that’s the reason he opted to bat first against Afghanistan in their most recent match. He said:

“Babar Azam will only do what is written on paper and given to him. He doesn’t know anything else. He can’t bat under pressure, which is why he elected to bat first against Afghanistan. He should have given the new ball to Mohammad Nawaz and Shaheen Afridi because Afghanistan’s openers play pace well.”

He further labeled the current setup of Pakistan as ‘pathetic’ and highlighted Babar’s captaincy mistake during the Afghanistan clash. Kaneria said:

“Haris Rauf is a tape ball cricketer who just bowls fast, and you don’t know what to expect from Hasan Ali. When there was some reserve swing, Babar Azam bowled Iftikhar Ahmed from one end. They are looking like a pathetic side right now.”

Pakistan National Cricket Team will be next seen in action when they lock horns with South Africa National Cricket Team at the MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chepauk, Chennai on Friday, October 27.