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After World Cup humiliation, Afridi blasts Babar for failing to prove himself as captain

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10 months ago

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Former cricketer Shahid Afridi said Monday that the Green Shirts’ skipper Babar Azam failed to deliver and prove himself as a leader and captain ever since being handed the highly important responsibility.

The Babar-led side, ranked fifth on the points table, crashed out of the World Cup 2023 after losing five of their nine matches in the tournament showcasing a rather underwhelming performance in all three departments.

“As much of a star Babar is as an individual player, it was my wish that he also makes his way in the list of the top [cricketing] captains,” Afridi said during an event in Karachi.

Flanked by several ex-cricketers including Misbah Ul Haq, Younis Khan, Abdul Razzaq, Kamran Akmanl, Saeed Ajmal and Umar Gul, Afridi said that the 29-year-old batter didn’t deliver as a captain as it was expected of him.

“We believed that in his three to four years [of captaincy] Babar would have groomed and would’ve proved himself as a captain and a leader. But this didn’t happen, we [have] seen a lot of mistakes [from him],” the former allrounder said highlighting that the top batter’s role as skipper was never threatened during this time.

“A leader should be steadfast and must know how to lead the team […] a leader doesn’t have one or two [favourite] players” he added. while stressing that a leader must ensure consensus amongst his teammates.

“Younis Khan didn’t make unilateral decisions [during his captaincy], he used to take all of us in confidence and seek advice [regarding his decisions],” Afridi said while stressing that a leader must ensure consensus amongst his teammates.

“A leader should have such qualities,” he concluded.

Babar, the right-hand batter, has been under scrutiny for Pakistan’s disappointing World Cup run and early elimination from the mega-event.

Meanwhile, the team has returned to the country in groups, as another batch of players — including Agha Salman, Imam-ul-Haq and Shaheen Shah Afridi — already arrived in Lahore from Kolkata via Dubai, while some headed straight to their hometowns.

Babar should lead Green Shirts in Australia tour

Expressing his views on who should lead the national side in the upcoming tour to Australia, Afridi said that Babar should be kept as captain for the highly anticipated tour scheduled to commence on December 14.

The ex-skipper was of the view that one has to know how to handle pressure in major events and one cannot win in light of so many cricketing mistakes.

Afridi’s remarks come as the 29-year-old has been seeking guidance on his future, consulting with former PCB chairman Ramiz Raja and people close to him, sources reported.

Babar’s close aides are advising him to step down from leadership in all three formats with his inner circle suggesting him to step down from captaincy roles in both red and white-ball cricket.

Earlier in the day, Morne Morkel stepped down as the Pakistan cricket team’s bowling coach — becoming the first casualty of the national side’s elimination from the mega event.

The former South African fast bowler — who had signed a six-month contract with the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB).

Meanwhile, sources say that former cricketer Umar Gul, who has already served as the team’s bowling coach in the past, is expected to take on the role once again.

“I have represented Pakistan before and will do it again if I get the chance,” Gul said while highlighting that the board has not yet contacted him for the post.

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Asif Ali hopes to be called up for Pakistan after a great Champions Cup performance.

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9 hours ago

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In yesterday’s 92-run defeat against Markhors, Asif Ali, who is playing for the Dolphins under Saud Shakeel, scored a fast half-century.

Asif stated in an interview with a local news station that he wanted to do well enough throughout the competition to possibly earn a spot back on the national squad.

He also disclosed that, prior to making his international debut, he batted at number four in domestic cricket but was forced to settle for number six. The energetic batter had a new task because of the
in batting order.

Asif stated, “Going from No. 4 to No. 6 is not easy.” “It’s critical to train properly for your position in international cricket. It can be challenging to drop to a lower position at the international level if you’re used to playing higher up the order at home.

He talked candidly about the Dolphins’ defeat against the Markhorses as well, stating that given the pitch conditions, he would not have chosen to field first.

“Batting was challenging because the pitch favored bowlers in the latter parts of the game,” he remarked. Because of the early dampness, the Dolphins’ management decided to field first.

He then on, “If they had asked me, I would have told them to bat first and not fall for that.”

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The ICC delegation inspects the National Stadium to evaluate the preparations for the Champions Trophy.

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1 day ago

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The delegation arrived in Karachi last night and inspected the National Stadium this morning, evaluating the ongoing development and preparations for the Champions Trophy.

Subsequent to Karachi, the ICC delegation will proceed to Islamabad and Lahore for the next round of the evaluation. They will compile the comprehensive report on locations and preparations following the conclusion of the visit.

The ICC Champions Trophy 2025 is set to occur in Pakistan from February to March; however, India’s participation remains doubtful as the BCCI seeks governmental consent for the visit.

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Reports from Indian media, referencing a source within the BCCI, indicate that the Indian squad will not travel to Pakistan for the forthcoming ICC event.

Subsequent reports indicated that the board has officially suggested Dubai and Sri Lanka as prospective locations for hosting India’s matches.

Geoff Allardice, the CEO of the International Cricket Council (ICC), dismissed the reports, asserting that no teams had expressed any reluctance to participate in the competition.

In a media meeting in Dubai regarding the Women’s T20 World Cup, Allardice conveyed his approval of Pakistan as the tournament venue. He emphasized the ICC’s assurance in Pakistan’s capacity to host the Champions Trophy.

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Champions Trophy 2025 will remain in Pakistan, the CEO of the ICC has said.

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6 days ago

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Dismissing any rumors that the Champions Trophy 2025 will be moved to a different nation, International Cricket Council (ICC) Chief Executive Geoff Allardice has stated that the tournament will take place in Pakistan as planned.

The 2025 ICC Champions Trophy is slated to take place in Pakistan in February and March. Nevertheless, India’s participation in the competition is up in the air since the BCCI is still awaiting government sanction to travel there.

Recall that there were rumors in Indian media, backed by the BCCI, that the Indian team would not be traveling to Pakistan for the forthcoming ICC match.

Additional reports stated that the board had formally suggested Sri Lanka and Dubai as possible locations for India’s match.

According to Geoff Allardice, who denied the reports, no team has expressed reluctance to play in the competition.

Allardice voiced her appreciation over Pakistan’s hosting of the Women’s T20 World Cup during a press conference in Dubai. He went on to emphasize that Pakistan is the ICC’s choice to host the Champions Trophy.

Remarkably, Pakistan is preparing three stadiums for the Champions Trophy in Karachi, Lahore, and Rawalpindi.

The PCB Chairman, Mohsin Naqvi, has revealed that the stadium modifications will be finished prior to the start of the Champions Trophy.

Gaddafi Stadium’s basement will be built by September 30. It will take three weeks to finish each floor. A steel framework would make up the front building. By December 31, the primary structure of Gaddafi Stadium will be finished, according to Naqvi.

“The seats will be erected in the stadium prior to the Champions Trophy; Indi Stadium will need to be fully destroyed and rebuilt.

“The Champions Trophy will take place before the renovations at Karachi’s [National Stadium] are finished,” he said.

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