Shoaib Malik Questions Babar Azam's Place in Top International Teams

Pakistan's disappointing performance in the T20 World Cup has drawn widespread criticism, with captain Babar Azam facing the brunt of the backlash. Former cricketer Shoaib Malik has added to the chorus of disapproval, questioning Azam's place in the top international teams.

Malik, speaking on a talk show after the India-England semifinal, asserted that Azam's current form and leadership do not meet the standards of elite teams. "Who is our best player? Our best player is Babar Azam," Malik said. "I am just talking about the top 4-5 teams. Can Babar fit in the playing XI of those teams? Of Australia, of India, or of England in just this particular format? The answer is NO!"

Azam's performance in the tournament has been underwhelming. In four matches, he scored 122 runs with a highest score of 44, averaging 40.66 and striking at 101.66. His captaincy has also been criticized, particularly for his handling of the match against India, where Pakistan collapsed after a promising start.

Malik's comments have sparked a debate about Azam's suitability as captain and his place in the team. Some have defended Azam, citing his past achievements and the challenges he faced in the tournament. Others have argued that his recent form and leadership have not been up to par and that he needs to improve or risk losing his position.

The criticism of Azam reflects the frustration of Pakistani fans and experts with the team's performance. Pakistan has struggled in recent years to maintain its status as a top cricketing nation, and the T20 World Cup debacle has only added to the concerns.

Whether Azam can turn things around and lead Pakistan to success remains to be seen. However, the criticism he has faced serves as a reminder that he and the team have a lot of work to do to regain the respect and admiration of their supporters.

Tags: #PakistanCricket, #T20WorldCup, #BabarAzam, #ShoaibMalik, #Captaincy