Babar Azam's captaincy is under fire after Pakistan lost three matches in a row in CWC 2023.
Former Pakistan captain and legendary all-rounder Shahid Afridi slammed Babar Azam for his poor captaincy and the strategies employed during recent matches at the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023.
Babar has been heavily criticized by fans and former cricketers after Pakistan lost three matches in a row in the tournament, which slimmed their chance of making it to the top four.
Afridi further questioned the decision-making in the team's bowling approach after Pakistan lost to Afghanistan by eight wickets in the World Cup 2023 match on October 23 in Chennai. He also suggested Babar should learn from the Australians how to apply pressure on the batters with an attacking field set.
Shahid Afridi was quoted as saying on Samaa TV, “It is the captain's job to apply pressure, a pacer is bowling and there is no slip? Four are required on 12 balls and you've taken backward point? Apply pressure. What do the Australians do?”
The former all-rounder continued, “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 also highlighted the challenges of leading the national side at the big event.
Afridi signed off by saying, “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.”