Former Pakistan batter Imran Nazir severely criticized the Babar Azam-led side for their poor performance in the ongoing T20 World Cup 2024.

The Babar Azam-led team remained in contention with a victory over Canada in their third game, but their destiny in the tournament is dependent on the success of the other teams.

But former cricketers and experts have sharply criticized Pakistan's cricket squad after losing its first two games in the 2024 T20 World Cup against the United States and India.

One of the most talented openers Pakistan ever had, Imran Nazir, labeled Babar and his teammates as "cowards" and castigated them for making excuses.

"I am sorry, but I am compelled to say that cricket is a game of the fearless. I haven't witnessed anyone as cowardly as this team [Cricket dileron ka khel hai. Yeh team jis tarike se khele hai, inse jyada buzdil cricketers aaj tak nahi dekhe]," Nazir remarked on a Pakistani TV show.

"I frequently discuss what new excuse they will be concocting now. There are no excuses in cricket. Irrespective of the pitch or conditions you are encountering, you are obligated to play. In a team where there's no middle-order batter who can rotate the strike, how can you anticipate that team to win the World Cup? This team failed to score 40 runs, despite having eight batters. First, ascertain what you possess. You neither have proficient batters nor adept bowlers, nothing," he added.

Apart from Nazir, Pakistan batsman Ahmad Shahzad, who also participated in the conversation, shed light on Babar's poor performance in key competitions.

"When my stats started deteriorating, I went straight to domestic cricket. And your [Babar's] stats are not 'King' size. Nobody wants to retain you in the PSL team. International players are reluctant to join the PSL team you are part of because they say we will be under more pressure due to Babar playing. This is the truth," Shahzad said.

Shahzad suggested that Babar should participate in domestic cricket to improve his game.

"You should play in domestic cricket. I did and spent three years in domestic cricket. My performance improved after that. I am not implying that I will be selected for the national team, but it's a process. You have had five years of [international] cricket but did not elevate your caliber. Your cricket is stagnant. You know you can't execute the aerial shots required in modern-day cricket. You will get out. You should toil in domestic cricket now," he suggested.