'Doesn’t deserve a place in T20 team': Virender Sehwag's no-nonsense verdict on Babar Azam after Pakistan's embarrassing exit from T20 World Cup 2024

Pakistan cricket team had a season to forget after their embarrassing exit from the ongoing edition of the T20 World Cup 2024. However, the mega tournament was not the only proof of Men in Green's disappointing performances, their recent outings in the Ireland and England series were also something that the team would like to forget about and move forward. Former Indian cricketer Virender Sehwag reflected upon Pakistan's recent performance and slammed their skipper Babar Azam over his performance. He even said that if captaincy changes, Babar should not be a part of the T20 team.

Virender Sehwag on Babar Azam

Sehwag said that Babar Azam is not a player who hits sixes and would only try to get those big shots when he is set and spinners are bowling. The Indian legends slammed the PAK captain and said he has never seen Babar using his feet against pacers or hitting them for six over the covers.

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"Babar Azam is not a player who will hit sixes. He only hits sixes when he is set and spinners are operating. I have never seen him using his feet to fast bowlers or hitting sixes over the covers; it’s not his game as he plays safe cricket by hitting on the ground. So, he consistently scores runs and his strike-rate isn’t great," Sehwag told Cricbuzz.

 

"But as a leader you have to think whether this game is useful for his team. If not, then demote yourself and send someone who can play big shots in the six overs and get the team 50–60 runs. I may sound harsh, but if the captain changes, Babar doesn’t deserve a place in the T20 team. His performances are not as per the demands of today’s T20 cricket," Sehwag added.

 

Babar Azam's performance in T20 World Cup 2024

 

Babar Azam had a disappointing season with bat in this mega tournament. He could only score 122 runs in four matches with a strike rate of only 101.66. He failed to provide his team with good starts in powerplay or turn his knocks big enough to play an impactful role. He even accepted the criticism on his captaincy.

 

"When I gave up the captaincy [in 2023], I thought that I shouldn't be doing it now, that's why I left it and I announced it myself. Then when they gave it back to me, it was the decision of the PCB. When I go back, we will discuss all that has happened here. And if I have to leave the captaincy, I will announce it openly. I will not hide behind anything. Whatever happens will happen in the open. But for now, I have not thought about it. It is eventually PCB's decision," said Babar Azam

 

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