After notching back-to-back victories against Netherlands and Sri Lanka in the ODI World Cup 2023, little did Babar Azam-led Pakistan know about the iceberg they are approaching which will not only shake both their campaign and confidence. Pakistan then suffered a hat-trick of defeats which put their road to semifinal in jeopardy. Pakistan went on to face losses against India, Australia but they hit the rock bottom when Afghanistan shocked them to register their first ever win over Men in Green.
As Pakistan face one of their challenging phases, it isn't just the fans voicing their disappointment but former cricketers and experts have joined the chorus, questioning Babar's leadership acumen.
Meanwhile, the legendary Shahid Afridi went down heavily on Babar's captaincy emphasizing the pivotal role a captain plays in influencing the team's spirit and performance.
Afridi doesn't mince words as he delves deep into what he perceives as Babar's leadership shortcomings while citing Inzamam-ul-Haq.
Drawing from his own volume of experience, Afridi on Samaa TV said, "When you are not in the game [not focused], then these things [fielding issues] will happen. When you are trying to hide somewhere, when you are not thinking positively, I think that at times we are waiting for miracles, miracles don't just happen. They happen with brave men who know how to fight."
Afridi added, "Look, a captain is everything. If a captain gives his best, dives during the field, backs other players between overs, the entire team will get [more] active... It has happened in the past, when I was the captain or Mohammad Yousuf was. When Inzamam would dive during the field, then, believe me, we players used to feel ashamed that why are we not diving when the captain is. At the end of the day, everything comes right back to the captain."
Afridi also underscored the importance of strategic assertiveness in the field, spotlighting the Aussies' knack for maintaining unwavering pressure on opponents, regardless of the match's course. He commented, "It is the captain's job to apply pressure... What do the Australians do? They take one to two wickets and then put all of their players in the circle to apply pressure, like they did against Pakistan."
He further elucidated on the dual-edged sword of captaincy, "Captaining your national side is a matter of honour but it is not a bed of roses. When you do good, everyone praises you and when you don't, everyone blames you as well as the head coach."
Riding on back-to-back defeats Pakistan are lurching on sixth spot on the points table garnering just four points in five games. Babar will now have a task cut out when Pakistan next face formidable South Africa on October 27 in Chennai as they seek redemption.
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