Pakistan failed to qualify for the Asia Cup 2023 final despite a strong start to their campaign. In the group stage, they registered a crushing 238-run victory over Nepal while their marquee encounter against India was abandoned due to rain.
The Men in Green started the Super 4 round with a comprehensive seven-wicket victory over Bangladesh but the 228-run thrashing at the hands of arch-rivals India dented their confidence.
The heartbreaking two-wicket defeat against Sri Lanka last Thursday (September 14) knocked them out of the competition. The Babar Azam-led side finished the Super 4 table at the bottom following India’s loss to Bangladesh.
In the aftermath of Pakistan’s ouster from the continental tournament, skipper Babar has come under the scanner for his decision makings and his underwhelming performance in pressure situations.
Amid the scrutiny, Pakistan cricket legends Javed Miandad and Misbah ul Haq have come out in the defense of Babar Azam, saying that it's unfair to put the entire blame on the captain for the team’s below-par performance.
Miandad and Misbah also urged the authorities to refrain from overreacting after the Asia Cup debacle.
"Why blame Babar Azam only when the rest of the team didn't perform as well in the Asia Cup matches against India and Sri Lanka," Miandad said while addressing the media in Karachi.
"Look our team is not as bad as it played in the Asia Cup. It has plenty of potential to do well in the World Cup. Only thing is how quickly our players cope and adjust to playing in Indian conditions before big crowds and in a country where they will encounter some hostility," he added.
Miandad said while other teams have announced their World Cup squads and looked settled, there was unnecessary panic in Pakistan camp after just two defeats in the Asia Cup.
"The sooner this suspense about the final squad is ended the better it is for us in the mega-event," he remarked.
Misbah highlighted the importance of collective contributions to do well in mega events rather than blaming the captain for every failure.
"Don't just expect Babar to perform every time. This is not possible. This team has been successful as a collective unit and they must remember that even in India," Misbah said.
"Now is not the time to talk about his captaincy. He is someone who can be relied upon in the World Cup as a captain and batsman."
Widely known as one of Pakistan’s finest cricketing brains, Misbah said the speculations about rift in the dressing room would only damage the team spirit.
"I have worked with these players as captain, coach and chief selector and I back them to do well in the World Cup," the former Pakistan captain said.
(With PTI Inputs)
