Shahid Afridi Defends Babar Azam Amidst Pakistan's T20 World Cup Exit

Pakistan's disappointing exit from the T20 World Cup has sparked widespread speculation about the future of several key players, including captain Babar Azam. Former Pakistan captains Wasim Akram, Salman Butt, and Shahid Afridi have openly criticized Babar's leadership and form, leading to rumors that the selection committee is considering dropping him and other senior players.

However, legendary all-rounder Shahid Afridi has strongly opposed the idea of dropping Babar, arguing that Pakistan lacks a suitable replacement. "I don't know what's the reality, but this can't happen," Afridi said in a video uploaded on his YouTube channel. "You can drop players when you have the next lot ready to take over. Do we have anyone to replace Babar? Do we have any performer like him?"

Afridi also criticized the PCB's selection policy, which he believes favors players based on a few good knocks rather than consistent performances in domestic cricket. "If we continue to select players on the basis of 2-3 innings and ignore stars of domestic cricket, it's harsh on those who perform for years," he added.

Pakistan's elimination from the T20 World Cup was confirmed after the match between USA and Ireland was washed out due to rain. Babar and his team will play their final group stage match against Ireland on Sunday.

The PCB is expected to make a decision on the future of the team after the tournament. However, Afridi's comments suggest that Babar's position as captain is unlikely to be under immediate threat.

Tags: #PakistanCricket, #T20WorldCup, #BabarAzam, #ShahidAfridi, #PCB