‘Babar Azam has learnt nothing in past four years as captain’

LAHORE: Former Pakistan captain Moin Khan has lashed out at skipper Babar Azam after the team’s historic defeat against Afghanistan in the ongoing ICC World Cup 2023, ARY News reported.  

The eight-wicket victory marked Afghanistan’s first over Pakistan in ODIs. The two sides had come face to face on seven occasions in the 50-over format.

Pakistan, batting first, scored 282-7 on the back of captain Babar Azam (74) and opening batter Abdullah Shafique’s (52) half-centuries. Vice Captain Shadab Khan and Iftikhar Ahmed scored handy knocks of 40 each.

Set to chase 283, Afghanistan openers Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Ibrahim Zadran provided a solid start to the team. The pair put together a century-plus stand as both scored half-centuries before Usama Mir dismissed Gurbaz in the 22nd over.

Meanwhile, Ibrahim stood his ground firm and was involved in another anchoring partnership when he added 60 runs for the second wicket with Rahmat Shah before Hasan Ali got rid of him in the 34th over.

He top-scored for Afghanistan with 87 in 113 balls, hitting 10 boundaries.

Shah was then joined by his skipper Hashmatullah Shahidi and the duo knitted a sensible 96-run partnership to steer Afghanistan to a historic victory with an over to spare.

Rahmat Shah scored an unbeaten 77 off 84 deliveries, laced up with five boundaries and two sixes while Shahidi scored 48 not out in 45 balls with the help of four boundaries.

For Pakistan, only Shaheen Afridi and Hasan Ali could pick up a wicket each while the rest of their bowlers went wicketless against Afghanistan.

Read More: Shoaib Malik holds Babar Azam responsible for Afghanistan loss

Speaking at A Sports’ programme ‘The Pavilion,’ Moin Khan made a scathing remark that Babar Azam as a captain has learnt nothing from his past experiences.

“He has been leading the side for the past four years. He has led the team in almost all the big events. Not a single thing he has learnt over the period of time,” said the former wicketkeeper batter.

Moin Khan further noted, “When you need to apply pressure, he is not doing anything. When you need wickets, you don’t see the close in fielders,” stressing the need to use such strategies.

“We were playing against Afghanistan, he should have attacked by bringing the fielders close,” he added.

The sensational eight-wicket victory ascended Afghanistan to sixth in the ICC World Cup 2023 standings while Pakistan managed to hold on to their fifth position.