Former Babar Azam has faced criticism following Pakistan’s campaign in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, with former Pakistan cricketer Basit Ali claiming the star batter should not have agreed to bat at number four during the tournament.
Babar’s batting position became a major talking point after the move failed to produce the expected results. The former Pakistan captain struggled to accelerate the scoring rate throughout the competition and endured a difficult tournament with the bat.
The decision by team management also saw Babar being held back in a crucial group stage match against Namibia. Later, he was left out of the Super 8 match against Sri Lanka national cricket team, where Pakistan national cricket team needed a big win to stay in contention for a semi final place.
Speaking during a discussion on a sports analysis show, Basit Ali suggested that Babar should have firmly opposed the decision to move him down the batting order. According to Basit, senior players should express their stance when they believe a tactical decision could harm their performance or the team’s chances.
Basit also referred to Virat Kohli while discussing strong leadership decisions in international cricket. He claimed that top players sometimes choose to step away when they feel their role or authority within the team is not respected.
However, former Pakistan wicketkeeper batter Kamran Akmal offered a different perspective on the issue. Akmal explained that it is rarely easy for players to challenge decisions made by coaches or team management, especially when their form is not at its best.
Akmal added that during difficult phases players often accept changes in batting order for the benefit of the team. He noted that performance and form play a major role in how much influence a player has in team discussions.
Meanwhile Younis Khan was cited as one of the few players who had previously been firm about his batting position during his playing career.
The debate around Babar Azam’s role highlights the pressure faced by leading cricketers in major international tournaments where every tactical decision can have a significant impact on the team’s performance.