India vs. Pakistan matches in ICC events are not just about cricket; they are a spectacle, a cultural event, and a testament to the power of the sport in bridging divides. These encounters set the tone for both teams in the tournament, and the spotlight on every move is unrelenting and often unforgiving.
After Pakistan’s demoralizing loss to India, former Pakistan captain Shoaib Malik did not hold back. He openly criticized the current captain, Babar Azam, raising questions about his leadership skills in the format. Malik’s commentary focused on Babar’s perceived inability to think “out of the box” as a captain. He even suggested that relinquishing the captaincy could enable Babar to thrive as a batsman and better contribute to the team’s success.
In Malik’s words, “I gave an opinion in the past as well that Babar Azam should leave captaincy. This is my personal opinion. Babar does not think out of the box as a captain. He is doing captaincy but the improvement is not coming. He can do wonders for Pakistan as a player.”
Malik further stirred the pot by proposing Shaheen Afridi as Babar Azam’s successor in white-ball cricket, referencing Afridi’s successful stint as captain for Lahore Qalandars in the Pakistan Super League (PSL). This suggestion adds fuel to the already heated discussion about Pakistan’s leadership.
“Shaheen Afridi should become captain in white ball cricket in case Babar Azam resigns. He has done an attacking captaincy for Lahore Qalandars,” Malik concluded.
In response to Shoaib Malik’s comments, former Pakistan batter Mohammad Yousuf expressed his disappointment with the timing of the critique. Yousuf, while acknowledging the pressure after the loss to India, emphasized the importance of supporting Babar Azam rather than casting doubts at such a juncture. He invoked the legacy of the legendary Imran Khan, who captained Pakistan in the 1983 and 1987 World Cups, only to secure victory in 1992 on his third attempt. Yousuf’s point was clear: good players should be given the time and space to grow into their captaincy roles.
“During the World Cup, I don’t think anybody should talk about this. Secondly, Imran Khan captained in 1983 and 1987 and lost both times before winning on his third attempt in 1992. Any good player should be allowed to continue as a captain for a long time. He is the captain because he has the ability. He did not become the captain because he is related to the PCB chairman. He is a genuine skipper,” Yousuf affirmed.
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Yousuf’s criticism extended to the legendary Wasim Akram, who was present during the discussion alongside Shoaib Malik. Yousuf expressed his surprise and disappointment that Akram, who holds a revered status in Pakistan cricket, did not intervene to steer the conversation in a more constructive direction.
“So talking about him in this manner is a loss for Pakistan and for him as well, especially amid the immense pressure post that loss against India. I am shocked that Wasim Akram, who was sitting there, did not stop him either,” Yousuf concluded.
In the end, the debate around Babar Azam’s captaincy and the subsequent criticism, fueled by this high-stakes India vs. Pakistan encounter, highlights the passionate nature of cricket discussions and the importance of supporting captains and players during challenging times.
