Babar Azam, Inzamam-ul-Haq were given freedom and support in forming squad: PCB issues pointed statement as PAK’s WC campaign stutters

Babar has been on the dart-targets of most former Pakistani legends and is drowning under a flood of criticism.

Pakistan's bowler Shaheen Afridi with teammates celebrates the wicket of Afghanistan's batter Rahmanullah Gurbaz during the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup 2023 match between Pakistan and Afghanistan, at MA Chidambaram Stadium, in Chennai, Monday, Oct. 23, 2023. (PTI Photo)

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The Pakistan cricket team are in a spot of bother after losing the match against Afghanistan, with their chances of making it into the last 4, getting slimmer by the day.

The team led by captain Babar Azam has been slammed by Pakistan legends and the media with even the Pakistan Cricket Board releasing a pointed statement towards the captain and chief selector Inzamam-ul-Haq.

“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,” PCB said in a statement.

PCB urges cricket fraternity to support Pakistan Team

Read more ⤵️ https://t.co/yoJtz7MHBe

— PCB Media (@TheRealPCBMedia) October 26, 2023

“Looking ahead, the board will make decisions in the best interest of Pakistan cricket based on the team’s performances in the World Cup. At present, the PCB encourages fans, former players and stakeholders to rally behind the team as they strive to make a triumphant comeback in the mega-event,” it added.

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Pakistan will next take on South Africa in Chennai on Thursday.

A few days ago, former Pakistani captains Wasim Akram, Moin Khan, Shoaib Malik and Misbah-ul-Haq had termed Azam as not good enough for the leading role and came down heavily on his captaincy in the ODI World Cup after Pakistan’s eight-wicket loss against Afghanistan. Afghanistan restricted Pakistan to 282 and then chased it down with an over to spare.

ALSO READ | Pakistan’s World Cup loss against Afghanistan opens can of worms; flood of criticism directed at Babar Azam

Babar has been on the dart-targets of most former Pakistani legends and is drowning under a flood of criticism. Shoaib Malik, in the past, has tweeted that under Babar, Pakistan has a culture of friendships, likes and dislikes.

Malik on Monday has said the only person who is responsible for this situation is captain Babar Azam. He said: “The guy who is most responsible is the captain. As a batsman, he is King, but as a leader, he is not.”

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Malik’s co-panellist, former Pakistan captain and wicketkeeper Moin Khan made a scathing remark on Babar. He said: “He is 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.”