Former Pakistan captain Shoaib Malik has criticized T20I captain Babar Azam, suggesting he wouldn’t make the playing XI for any of the top international T20 teams. Malik’s comments followed Pakistan’s early exit from the T20 World Cup, where they lost to both the USA and India. Pakistan’s hopes were dashed when their match against Ireland was washed out, leaving them unable to progress further.
While Malik acknowledged Babar’s talent, he questioned whether Babar could fit into the playing XI of top teams like Australia, India, or England in the T20 format. “Our best player is Babar Azam. But can he fit into the playing XI of teams like Australia, India, or England in this format? The answer is no,” Malik said on a local sports show.
This critique has intensified the debate over Pakistan’s strategy and leadership in T20I cricket. Despite being Pakistan’s leading player, Babar Azam faces increasing scrutiny over his role, reflecting broader concerns about Pakistan’s standing in international cricket.
Additionally, former Indian cricketer Parthiv Patel had earlier criticized Babar Azam, labeling him a “selfish player” and describing Pakistan as a “weak team.” Patel, during an interview, pointed out the decline in Pakistan’s team performance and expressed doubts about Babar’s leadership, stating, “When your captain is selfish, then there is no chance.”