Virender Sehwag said that Babar Azam doesn’t deserve a spot in the T20I team if Pakistan ring in the changes in leadership following their underwhelming campaign in the ongoing T20 World Cup 2024. Babar’s captaincy and batting came under scanner after Pakistan failed to make their way through to the Super 8 following their losses at the hands of co-hosts USA and arch-rivals India.
Babar scored 122 runs from 4 matches at an average of 40.66, but at a strike-rate of 101.66. Sehwag said that Babar doesn’t have the game to meet the demands of playing in T20Is. The former Indian batter said that Pakistan need players who can hit sixes at will in the top order and not someone who does not take enough risks.
“Babar Azam is not a player who will hit sixes. He only hits sixes when he is set and spinners are operating. I have never seen him using his feet to fast bowlers or hitting sixes over the covers; it’s not his game as he plays safe cricket by hitting on the ground. So, he consistently scores runs and his strike-rate isn’t great,” Sehwag told Cricbuzz.
“But as a leader you have to think whether this game is useful for his team. If not, then demote yourself and send someone who can play big shots in the six overs and get the team 50–60 runs. I may sound harsh, but if the captain changes, Babar doesn’t deserve a place in the T20 team. His performances are not as per the demands of today’s T20 cricket,” Sehwag added.
On Sunday, Pakistan bowed out of the T20 World Cup after beating Paul Stirling’s Ireland by 3 wickets in Florida. Babar scored an unbeaten 32 off 34 balls and helped his team chase down 107 with 7 balls left in their innings. Babar also said that he hasn’t thought about leaving captaincy and would only take a call after talks with the Pakistan Cricket Board.
