T20 World Cup 2024: Babar Azam slams these Pakistan players for loss against England; exposes teammates

Pakistan captain Babar Azam has called out the Middle-order batters to step up their game after England defeated them in a one-sided contest at the Oval.

The visitors, after getting off to a good start in the game, went on to suffer and succumb due to some of the out-of-form batters. The kind of start that Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan had given to Pakistan, it seemed like they would put at least 180+ on the board. However, they did not end up with a score that the bowling line-up could defend and ultimately suffered a 7-wicket defeat.

For England, the result comes as a major boost in their preparation for the ICC T20 World Cup 2024 starting from the 2nd of June. For them to defend the title they had won in 2022 at the Land Down Under, they will need to finish in the top 2 of Group B. The Three Lions will face Scotland, Namibia, Oman, and arch-rivals Australia.

Major setback for Pakistan ahead of the T20 World Cup

For Pakistan, the result was forgettable. But they will still like to remember it, for them to learn and for them to not repeat the same mistakes. The team is looking nowhere near the level they had 2 years ago. The Green Army had a very eventful T20 World Cup in Australia, reaching the finals but ending as runners-up.

Finishing as runners-up was a notable achievement for Pakistan as they were crumbling during the Group stages, losing to India and Zimbabwe. But the Men in Green eventually sealed qualification to the next round, thanks to victories against South Africa and Netherlands, who helped Babar Azam's side with a shock win over the Proteas.

Pakistan's chances of going through a do-or-die situation again in the WC group stages could be on the cards. There are surprise packages in the USA, Canada, and Ireland along with India in their Group. Babar Azam's men had lost the 1st of a 3-match T20I series which they had won by 2-1 last month and so the Irishmen will attempt to repeat the trick.

But the 2009 T20 World Cup champions' latest series defeat by 2-0 has raised question marks with the Middle batting order responsible for most of it.

What did Babar Azam say?

Babar Azam was seemingly disappointed with Pakistan's series loss by 2-0 in the 4-match series with the other 2 matches washed out by rain. Yesterday at the Oval, Babar and Rizwan had a positive start, scoring 59 runs within the powerplay before the skipper departed for 36 off 22.

Rizwan followed suit after a 23 off 16 with Usman Khan playing an aggressive knock of 38 off 21. However, the remaining batting order added just 54 runs on the board. England would then chase down the total within 15.3 overs.

Following the loss, Babar Azam called out the middle-order to show up, especially those who got out for ducks - Shadab Khan (golden duck) and Azam Khan (0 off 5).

"First six overs, we played very well. After that, the momentum shifted as wickets fell. Our middle-order needs to step up. You need 2-3 good overs in the middle and in the death as well. England's bowling was very good. Hopefully, we don't do this in the World Cup." - Babar said after the match.