This is an archive article published on November 13, 2023

Cricket World Cup: Mohammad Amir slams Babar Azam’s captaincy, cites example of MS Dhoni on how he built the Indian cricket team

Former Pakistan pacer Mohammad Amir calls for a change in captaincy and made a scathing remarks on former PCB chief Ramiz Raja, who wants Babar Azam to stay as a captain.

Pakistan's Babar Azam reacts during the match. (Reuters)

4 min readNov 13, 2023 09:38 AM IST First published on: Nov 13, 2023 at 09:38 AM IST

Former Pakistan bowler Mohammad Amir said that there is no need to change in the system of the Pakistan cricket but it is the mindset of team’s captain Babar Azam, which is hurting the national team.

“Captaincy does matter,” Amir said on a show ‘Haarana Mana Hay‘ on Geo news.

Amir also made a scathing remarks on former Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chief and Ramiz Raja, who recently has said that it is the system which needs to be changed and has backed for captain Babar Azam to lead the team in the future.

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“What is the system? It is not a wall. Five and six people have been given responsibility to run the Pakistan cricket. A captain is also one of them,” said Amir.

“In 1992 under Imran Khan, we won the World Cup, the system was same. In 1999 our team was a world beater, who reached the finals. We won the 2009 T20 World Cup with the same system, we won the 2017 Champions Trophy under same system,” he said.

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Amir gave example of England and Jos Buttler and explained why despite being an awful campaign, why they don’t need to change the system.

“Babar is captain for past four years. He has build his team on his own.

“Buttler is not part of our system, then why did England played so badly? Does the system in England also need a makeover?

“After 2015 debacle, Morgan said I want to play this brand of cricket, I want these 25 players. System remained the same, it is the captain, who changed his mindset.

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“England were struggling in Test cricket for two years. Joe Root was the captain. System is same but we say England’s Test cricket has changed. It was Ben Stokes, who changed his approach.

“As long as captain’s mindset will not change, system can do nothing. Was it the system, who told him not to play Abrar Ahmad, or bench Fakhar after first match,” said Amir.

Amir gave an example of 2009 T20 World Cup, when the then Pakistan captain Younis Khan has fought for him during the selection.

“I was not getting picked. Captain Younis Khan fought for me. Chief selector said no he is young and inexperienced, but captain kept fighting for me,” he said.

Amir recalled an incident of the 2017 Champions Trophy final, when former Pakistan skipper Sarfaraz Khan fought with coach Mickey Arthur to play his ahead of Rumman Raees.

“I missed the semifinal due to back spasm. Rumman Raees played and did well. In the final, Saifi bhai said no Amir is our main bowler, he is fit and he will play the final,” said Amir.

Amir also lamented Pakistan’s team selection and said, this team is a good T20 team but not a suitable ODI side.

“99% team is build on T20 performances. Usama Mir, Shaheen Shah, Haris Rauf, Shadab Khan are T20 bowlers,” said Amir.

Amir also gave example of former India captain MS Dhoni, who has played a pivotal role in the growth of Ravindra Jadeja.

“We say Dhoni changed India’s cricket, but he never changed the system. People kept saying that for how long will he keep giving Jadeja and Ashwin chances. And now we say Jadeja is World’s best all-rounder. MS Dhoni has given them the team,” said Amir.