T20 World Cup 2024: 'Babar Azam is hiding behind selectors' - Ahmed Shehzad's shocking remark amid criticism on team selection

Pakistan skipper Babar Azam has come under scrutiny following the national team's disappointing performances in recent times. Former cricketers Basit Ali, Sikander Bakht, and current player Ahmed Shehzad didn't mince words while criticizing Babar Azam after the 2-0 loss against England in their recent T20I series.

Babar Azam was reinstated as the captain of the Pakistan men's cricket team for both white-ball formats on March 31. Babar replaced left-arm pacer Shaheen Afridi as the T20I skipper. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) announced this decision based on a "unanimous recommendation from the selection committee."

The 29-year-old relinquished the captaincy across all three formats following Pakistan's exit from the 2023 ODI World Cup in India last year. Shaheen Afridi assumed the T20I captaincy in November 2023. Pakistan suffered a 4-1 loss in the T20I series against New Zealand under Shaheen's leadership in January.

The Men in Green struggled against a second-string New Zealand side at home during Babar Azam's second tenure as captain. The Babar Azam-led team managed to draw the five-match series 2-2 after winning the fifth T20I. They then lost to Ireland in the first T20I of the subsequent series in away conditions.

The team's struggles continued in the four-match T20I series against England. The 2009 World Cup winners suffered a seven-wicket loss in the fourth and final T20I match. Two matches in the recent series were washed out due to rain. Notably, it was Pakistan's last bilateral series before the 2024 T20 World Cup.

Babar Azam is hiding behind seven selectors - Ahmed Shehzad

In a discussion on Geo News, Ahmed Shehzad criticized Babar Azam, stating that "he is hiding behind seven selectors." Shehzad mentioned Babar not taking responsibility for team losses. Basit Ali's criticism was harsher, likening the Pakistan cricket team to a franchise, implying a lack of national pride.

We Need To Back The Players - Babar Azam

Babar Azam has defended his team, particularly backing Azam Khan, despite facing significant criticism. Babar emphasized the need to support the chosen players for the upcoming T20 World Cup 2024 in the United States and the West Indies.

“When we don't select a player, you ask us why we did not select him. And then, when we select him, you ask us why he was selected. We need to back the players who have been selected,” said Babar Azam at the post-match press conference.

They Will Bring The World Cup - Mohsin Naqvi

Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Mohsin Naqvi has urged fans to support the national team in the T20 World Cup. Mohsin Naqvi stated that the Babar Azam-led team will bring home the World Cup.

"It is my request that for the next one week, please let’s support our players. We have full trust in them, and each Pakistani must tell them it doesn’t matter if they win or lose: we stand with them," Naqvi said at Pakistan House in London during a dinner reception.

"If they go to the US [for the T20 World Cup] with this approach, they will bring the World Cup. Please stop criticising them for four weeks," he added.

Also read: IND vs BAN: Sourav Ganguly predicts the winner of ICC T20 World Cup 2024