Legendary Indian opener Virender Sehwag lambasted Pakistan’s white-ball captain Babar Azam following the national team’s group-stage exit from the ongoing ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024.
Pakistan captain Babar had a tournament to forget as he only managed 122 runs at a dismal strike rate of only 101.66 with the best score of 44 which came in a losing cause against the United States of America (USA).
Commenting on Pakistan’s early exit, Virender Sehwag stated if the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) decides to remove Babar Azam as white-ball captain then he should not be considered for selection in T20Is.
“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,” stated Sehwag.
“I may sound harsh, but Babar doesn’t deserve a place in the T20 team if the captain changes. His performances are not as per the demands of today’s T20 cricket,” he added.
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Meanwhile, Babar Azam broke silence on his future as Pakistan captain after the national team bowed out of the T20 World Cup 2024 with a consolation victory over Ireland.
“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,” Babar Azam said. “Then when they gave it back to me, it was the decision of the PCB.”
The right-hander then addressed the speculations about him leaving captaincy, stating that he was not thinking about it.
“When I return, 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,” he added.