Former England captain Michael Vaughan was left unimpressed with the lack of respect shown to Pakistan captain Babar Azam during the ongoing ICC World Cup 2023.
It must be noted that Azam has faced criticism from all corners during the mega event after Pakistan lost four matches in a row.
“Sometimes in T20 cricket the game sets itself up naturally. I’m not saying that the captain doesn’t do anything. I don’t think there is much management in T20 cricket as it does in ODI cricket. There is more to do as captain in 50-over and Test matches, managing players and scenarios. I think it is harder to captain a 50-over team,” Vaughan said while talking to Cricbuzz
“I just don’t like the lack of respect that Babar Azam is being shown. I think it is a disgrace. There are stories being leaked about Shaheen Afridi being the captain. Babar Azam is a wonderful and world class player. He has been fantastic for Pakistan and the world game.
“When you see these kinds of stories during a World Cup, leave it till the end. If at the end of the World Cup, you don’t think he is the right person as captain to take Pakistan forward, no problem, you are allowed to make that decision. During the tournament, when there is gossip coming from the board and people within Pakistan cricket. I find it really disrespectful.”
On Thursday, following a poor run in the ongoing World Cup, the Pakistan Cricket Board seem to have deserted the team, almost like a sinking ship. And the indication that the PCB has started to distance itself from Babar Azam and his under-performing team, ironically came in the form of a media release, which was supposed to show support to them. It did anything but.
The media release stated: "The PCB acknowledges the emotions and sentiments of cricket fans following the three consecutive defeats faced by the national team in the ICC World Cup 2023. In this challenging environment, the board administration hopes that the cricketing fraternity and fans will continue to support captain Babar Azam and the entire Pakistan cricket team."
The team's failure to qualify for the semis will make things even worse for Babar and team as well as for the PCB bosses. That's why the Board tried to make it clear that Babar and chief selector Inzamam-ul-Haq were given a free hand.
"Addressing the media scrutiny directed at captain Babar Azam and the team management, the board's stance, echoing that of former cricketers, is that successes and defeats are part of the game. Captain Babar Azam and Chief Selector Inzamam-ul-Haq were given freedom and support in forming the squad for the ICC World Cup 2023," the Board said.
Pakistan are currently facing Bangladesh in a must-win World Cup match in Kolkata.
- Babar Azam