The Netherlands vs Pakistan match in the T20 World Cup, was expected to be an easy one for the Asian side. But then, they were given a run for their money, where they were stretched in a chase of 148. In that too, PAK legend Babar Azam was removed cheaply, yet again.
Babar Azam’s T20 credentials questionable
That has only raised questions over his ability in the format once again. In fact, he was selected in the squad for the WC, despite poor numbers in the BBL, for Sydney Sixers. If not for Faheem Ashraf’s cameo, they would have very well lost the match. Among all this, former PAK batter Basit Ali has predicted that Babar could be dropped from the next match vs USA.
“I have a feeling that Babar will not play in Pakistan’s next game. The anger I saw on coach Mike Hesson’s face… I don’t think that he will play Babar at no 4 again in the next game,” Basit Ali said on the YouTube show The Game Plan,
He even went on to question batter’s superstar status. “If you call Babar Azam a superstar in ODIs or Tests, I might still agree. But in T20Is? Kahaan se superstar hai? (How is he a superstar?) A batter who drops down from his regular batting position and comes out to bat at no 4, and cannot even tell the management that he’s not a no 4 batter! Doesn’t Babar know this?” Basit Ali asked.
Other better players in team
Basit Ali, to an extent, claimed that even Sahibzada Farhan was a better player in the format for Pakistan. “Even a club cricketer will tell you that in T20s, Shadab Khan, Usman Khan, Mohammad Nawaz, Faheem Ashraf… they are all better players in the format than Babar!
“Sahibzada Farhan and Saim Ayub are also better T20 players than Babar. Even Salman Ali Agha has shown that he’s a better player at No 3 than Babar. After what Steve Smith did with Babar Azam in the Big Bash League, people haven’t wisened up! He denied a single just to prevent Babar from getting on strike. His game is not suited (to T20s).”
