After Pakistan’s recent defeat, former Pakistan cricket team’s Shoaib Malik openly criticized current team captain Babar Azam’s leadership skills and once again advised him to step down from the captaincy and focus on his role as a cricketer.
During a talk show, Shoaib Malik expressed his viewpoint, stating, “I have a sincere opinion for Babar, which I have shared before, that Babar should relinquish the captaincy.”
He clarified that his opinion was not influenced by Pakistan’s loss to India or the margin of the defeat. Instead, he believes that the 29-year-old captain has the potential to excel as a cricketer without the added responsibility of captaincy.
Malik emphasized, “Based on some analysis I have conducted, I am convinced that Babar, as a cricketer, can deliver outstanding performances.”
He pointed out that Babar, as a leader, has not demonstrated innovative thinking and suggested that a cricketer should not mix leadership with batting skills, as they are distinct roles. Malik noted that Babar has been the captain for an extended period without significant improvement.
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Discussing the team’s performance, Malik noted that the players tend to follow the plan when things are going well but struggle when the situation deviates from the strategy.
In a supportive tone, Malik encouraged Babar, reminding him that the tournament was far from over and that there were numerous matches remaining. He advised Babar to stay resilient despite the challenging start.
