Former Pakistan pacer Tanvir Ahmed has backed Babar Azam’s decision to relinquish white-ball captaincy a month ahead of the team’s tour of Australia for three ODIs and as many T20Is. Tanvir anticipated Babar leaving the leadership role and wants him to improve his ranking that has taken a hit across formats.
“Babar Azam, aapne bohot zabardast faisla liya hai kaptaani chor kar. Mein yahi samajhta tha ki aapka yahi faisla aana chahiye. Hum ye chahte hai ki aap as a batsman Pakistan ke liye khele aur bohot runs kare. Aapko performance deni hai zabardast. Aapki ranking jo niche aayi hui hai usko behtar kare (Babar Azam, you have taken a very strong decision by leaving the captaincy. I wanted you to take this decision. We want that you as a batsman play for Pakistan and score a lot of runs. You have to perform very well and improve the low ranking that has taken a hit.),” Tanvir said in a video he posted on X.
Tanvir takes a dig at those who criticise Babar
Recently, Babar slipped several places to 11th after a lacklustre run in the home series against Bangladesh which Pakistan lost. He is on top in ODI batting rankings whereas in T20Is, he is placed fifth. Tanvir also said that he should continue playing in all formats till his retirement as criticising him helps many get views and runs their channels.
“Meri ye dua hai ki aap retirement tak khelte rahe. Kisi bhi format me bahar nahi hona. Uski wajah yeh hai kyoki aapnke wajah se logo ke ghar chal rahe hai, unki dukaane chamki hui hai, aapki wajah se unke views aate hai, unke dollars aate hai. Aap jab tak team me rahenge to unke views aate rahenge. Jab aap bahar ho gaye to unki do take ki value jo hai wo nahi rahegi. (My prayer is that you keep playing for Pakistan in all formats until your retirement. The reason for this is that because of you people's homes are running, their shops have flourished, because of you they get views and earn in dollars. As long as you are in the team, they will keep getting views. If you retire, they will struggle.),” he said.
Babar still a king to Tanvir
Tanvir went on to add that he is still a king to him, a nickname he got from his teammates.
“Meri aap se request hai ki aap please apni performance ke liye bhi, apne naam ke liye team mein rehna hai aur jo dusro ka ghar chal raha hai, unka ghar kharab na ho jaye. Mein aapko waise hi support karta hu, aap mere liye king hai. (I request you that you please remain in the team for your performance, for your name and the homes of others which you are running. I support you anyway, you are a king to me),” the pacer who played five Tests, two ODIs and one T20I concluded.
