'He is letting you down': Dinesh Karthik slams Babar Azam's approach as Pakistan captain after super over loss against USA

Former Indian cricketer Dinesh Karthik has lashed out at Pakistan captain Babar Azam following their super over loss against the United States in match 11 of the ongoing edition of the T20 World Cup 2024 which was being played at the Grand Prairie Stadium in Dallas, on June 6 (Thursday). The Indian legend said Babar as a skipper should not be blaming his players for the losses in front of the media and public. He needs to be more diplomatic and keep the criticism inside four walls as this could impact the players' confidence in themselves which will eventually affect their performance.

Dinesh Karthik on Babar Azam

"As a leader, you have to find ways to be diplomatic in press conferences and post-match ceremonies. Somehow, find a way to back your players. Inside the four walls, in the dressing room, you can say what you want and have a go at a few people, but you need to find a way to back those players. It is one thing being honest, but it also one thing trying to understand what the dynamics of your team are. He is just newly-appointed as a captain, a lot of the players are vulnerable right now, he needs to be saying things like, 'Yes, it was a bad day, we could have probably done somethings better'. That is the kind of language to be used," Dinesh Karthik said on Cricbuzz.

 

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"But to say that we played badly and lost to many wickets, it is firstly stating the obvious, and secondly, if any Pakistan player reads it, which they will be, it feels like he is letting you down. The way he has conducted himself on the field, where he is having a go at the bowlers when boundaries go, is not a sign of a good leader. Showing disappointment is fine, but there is a way to show it, where the players do not get more nervous than they are already on the field," Karthik added.

 

USA upset Pakistan in T20 World Cup 2024

 

The USA pulled off one of the biggest upset wins in the history of T20 World Cups with their win against Pakistan. The Men in Green batting first were restricted to 159/7 in 20 overs. Then the USA managed to level the score and dragged the match to the super over, where US batting first scored 18 runs and it turned out to be enough to keep Pakistan at bay. United States has claimed the top spot in Group A with their second consecutive win.

 

On the other hand, Pakistan will be taking on their arch-rivals India in their next match, on June 9. Babar Azam's side is already under a lot of pressure with constant dismal outings in the T20 format. However, winning the India match will be crucial in order to keep their hopes of reaching Super 8 alive.

 

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