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[Saba Sports News] Former cricketer Shahid Afridi criticized Babar Azam’s captaincy following Pakistan’s group-stage exit from the T20 World Cup 2024. After failing to qualify for the 2023 ODI World Cup semi-finals, Azam resigned as captain. However, after a poor series against New Zealand, new captain Shaheen Shah Afridi was dismissed by PCB officials, and Babar was reinstated, only to falter again despite having his preferred team.
Afridi commented that past captains never received as many chances as Babar. He emphasized the need to give time to both the captain and coach but noted that Babar had multiple opportunities in ICC tournaments and the Asia Cup without success. “They should take a decision on the captain or the coach and then give them time. As far as Babar is concerned, we have also captained a lot, and a captain never got so many chances. As soon as the World Cup is over, often the captain used to be the first one who got the blame. 2-3 World Cups, 2-3 Asia Cups, he has had enough opportunities,” Afridi said in a viral video.
Afridi also questioned the PCB’s decision to remove Abdul Razzaq and Wahab Riaz from the selection committee while retaining other members. “I got to know that only Abdul Razzaq and Wahab Riaz have been sacked from the selection committee. I don’t understand this surgery. If the selection committee is of 6-7 people, then why only these two have been removed?” Afridi said.
Riaz briefly mentioned his sacking and stated that he would issue a statement explaining the situation.