Former Pakistan pacer Sikander Bakht has publicly criticized Babar Azam following the latter’s announcement to step down as captain of the white-ball cricket team. Bakht’s remarks come in the wake of Pakistan’s disappointing performance at the T20 World Cup, where they suffered an early exit after losing to tournament debutants USA. This defeat, described by many as one of the most embarrassing moments in Pakistan’s cricket history, has ignited a fierce debate about leadership and accountability within the team.

Pakistan’s fallout from a historic defeat

Pakistan’s failure to qualify for the knockout stages of the T20 World Cup was a bitter pill to swallow for fans and players alike. The loss to the USA, a team that was participating in its first World Cup, was particularly shocking. Pakistan managed to post a total of 159 runs but faltered in the Super Over, ultimately losing by five runs. This match not only marked a significant upset but also raised questions about the team’s strategy and execution under pressure.

Bakht expressed his disappointment with Babar’s decision to remain captain until now, suggesting that he should have resigned immediately after the World Cup exit on June 16.

“Ab sharam ayi! (You finally felt ashamed!) As soon as our World Cup was over on 16th June because we had not qualified further, he should have resigned at the same time. The whole nation was saying that he should have resigned. But he was stubborn. Because his style was like this, he was king (In a sarcastic way). His performance was not good, neither was theirs. Anyway, they should have seen that we are removed in two ways. I don’t know what happened to him,” Bakht remarked on Geo News.

The former pacer was emphasizing that the entire nation felt Babar should have stepped down at that moment. He criticized Babar’s stubbornness and lack of self-awareness regarding his performance as both captain and batter, which he deemed inadequate.

Also READ: “It’s been an honour to lead this team, but…”: Babar resigns as Pakistan white-ball captain

Internal strife within Pakistan team

Bakht further claimed that Babar’s resignation was not entirely voluntary; instead, he suggested that he was pressured into making this announcement. He pointed out that there are three other players, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Shan Masood and Mohammad Rizwan, who are vying for leadership roles within the white-ball format. This internal competition may be contributing to a tense atmosphere in the dressing room.

“He was told to resign. Look, we have three captains in our base. There are groups of three captains. One is Babar, another is Rizwan. They want to become captains. Shaheen want to become captain again. And there is also Shan Masood. Shan Masood lost five or six matches,” he added.

Bakht highlighted how this rivalry could be detrimental to team cohesion and performance. The presence of multiple potential leaders often leads to conflicting strategies and undermines collective decision-making during crucial matches.

PCB’s official stance on the matter

In response to Babar’s resignation, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) released a statement acknowledging his decision as a move aimed at enhancing his individual performance. The PCB emphasized that this choice demonstrates Babar’s professionalism and commitment to contributing positively to Pakistan cricket.

“Although the PCB had backed Babar Azam as the white-ball captain, his decision to step down reflects his desire to focus more on making a greater impact as a player,” PCB officials stated.

This official stance indicates an understanding of the need for change within the team structure while also recognizing Babar’s contributions as a player. However, it raises further questions about leadership dynamics within the squad and how best to navigate future challenges.

“This decision is a testament to his professionalism and commitment to Pakistan cricket. He believes that dedicating himself fully to his batting will enable him to play a more decisive role in the team’s success in the shorter formats,” the PCB added.

Also READ: 3 players who can replace Babar Azam as Pakistan’s ODI and T20I captain

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