Pakistan men’s cricket team captain Babar Azam continues to face flak from former cricketers and fans after his team lost the T20 World Cup match against India. After legendary pacer Wasim Akram went on an explosive rant against the team, former allrounder Shahid Afridi has suggested that Babar needs to be dropped at no. 3 for the balance of the team.

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Pakistan have been struggling to get off the blocks in the powerplay overs, primarily due to Babar and Mohammad Rizwan being similar kind of players. Afridi suggested that head coach Gary Kirsten make the necessary changes as Pakistan still had not exited the tournament.  

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“I think now is the time for Gary Kirsten and Babar Azam to make some changes. I would like to see Salman Ali Agha come into the side in place of Usman Khan and Abrar Ahmed to come in for Shadab Khan,” said Afridi. 

“Most of all, I believe Fakhar Zaman should be promoted to open the innings alongside Mohammad Rizwan, with Babar dropping down to number three,” he added. 

Pakistan are in the precipice of exiting the World Cup. A poor outing against Canada on Tuesday (Jun 11) could be curtains for the team that has struggled in the shortest format of the game in the last couple of years.  

“There are some tough conversations and choices to come but we need to remember that there is still hope, Pakistan are not out of the tournament yet,” said Afridi. 

While Afridi has argued for change in the batting order for Babar, other former cricketers have targetted the skipper for playing favouritism in the team and fooling the public. 

Favouritism in the squad?

There have been gossip coming out from the Pakistan dressing room that Babar opted for certain players that were close to him instead of picking those who had performed consistently on the domestic circuit. 

“You are making a team with your friends, keeping your friends in the team,” said former opener Ahmed Shehzad on a Pakistani TV channel.

“You guys have performed against B, C, D teams and fooled the people. Your salaries were hiked, PCB paid you to evolve yourself and your cricket,” he added. 

Mohammed Hafeez, who recently served as director of the senior team, echoed similar sentiments and questioned the selection of Imad Wasim and Mohammad Amir who made the squad despite having retired from the format. 

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