Under-fire Babar Azam will look for redemption when Pakistan will take on formidable South Africa in their ODI World Cup clash at the Chepauk Stadium in Chennai on October 27, Friday. Babar's captaincy came under scrutiny after Pakistan's recent shock defeat against Afghanistan which scripted their new low in the cricketing history.
Riding on Babar Azam's modest knock of 74 off 92 Pakistan posted a total of 282/7. In reply, Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Ibrahim Zadran and Rahmat Shah's cracking fifties made the light work of Pakistan's target with eight wickets and and six balls to spare. With this Afghanistan recorded their first ever win against Pakistan in ODIs.
Pakistan certainly hit a new low as they received a massive flak after being stunned by Afghanistan. Pakistan's nightmarish World Cup campaign is still on a roll as they have won just two matches in a total of five matches played so far. After defeating Netherlands and Sri Lanka, Babar's brigade were handed a hat-trick of losses at the hands of India, Australia and then Afghanistan.
Meanwhile right ahead of the Pakistan's do-or-die clash against South Africa, which will decide their course in the tournament, Babar was seen giving an aggressive pep talk to his teammates to lift their spirits up in the ongoing ODI World Cup.
'Hum aisa pehle bohat dafa kr chuke hain! Jab hum girte hain toh fir uth ke bohat agay jatay hain. Wo yaad karo (We have done this before many times! Remember, whenever we have stumbled, we have only gone up and reached the pinnacle.
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Notably, Babar has scored mere 157 runs at an average of 31.40 and a strike-rate of 79.69 in five matches in the ongoing World Cup 2023.
Meanwhile, right ahead of Pakistan's World Cup clash against South Africa Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) dropped a bombshell statement and hinted that Babar's captaincy days are numbered. PCB stated,"Addressing the media scrutiny directed at captain Babar Azam and the team management, the board's stance, echoing that of former cricketers, is that successes and defeats are part of the game. Captain Babar Azam and Chief Selector Inzamam-ul-Haq were given freedom and support in forming the squad for the ICC World Cup 2023."
PCB further hinted that their future decisions would align with the best interests of Pakistan cricket, depending on the outcomes in the World Cup. They urged stakeholders, fans, and former cricketers to support the national team during this crucial juncture.
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