T20 World Cup 2024: Ahmed Shehzad Questions 'Tried And Tested' Babar Azam's Appointment as Pakistan Captain

Former opening batter Ahmed Shehzad has said reappointing "tried and tested" Babar Azam as the captain of the Pakistan team again is one of the worst decisions made by Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chief Mohsin Naqvi.

The comments were made after Pakistan were eliminated from the ongoing T20 World Cup 2024 following a wash out in the Group A match between USA and Ireland at the Central Broward Regional Park Stadium Turf Ground in Lauderhill, Florida on Friday (June 14).

Babar had stepped down as skipper across all three formats after the disastrous campaign in last year's ODI World Cup. But the star batter was reappointed the captain, replacing Shaheen Shah Afridi earlier this year.

That decision seems to have backfired as Pakistan failed to qualify for Super 8 of the T20 World Cup 2024 in the Caribbean and the United States after defeats to the USA and India.

Although they beat Canada, their hopes of playing in the next round ended when rain forced the USA vs Ireland match to be abandoned. Following the news of Pakistan's early exit, former opener Shehzad did not hold back on his opinion about skipper Babar.

"Making Babar Azam was the worst decision by the PCB chairman because he was a tried and tested captain. Wahab Riaz has handled things very unprofessionally," Shehzad told Geo News.

Shehzad also added that Babar, Mohammad Rizwan, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Fakhar Zaman and Haris Rauf have been given more than enough chances, but the group has failed and pointed out that the team looks divided, lacking leadership.

"If you look into their cricket for the last four years, Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan, Shaheen Afridi and Fakhar Zaman have been constants. Haris Rauf is also there. They have got more time than what a lot should get. And there are groupings in the team and lack of leadership is visible," Shehzad added.

Shehzah was also critical of Babar and Rizwan for playing for 'personal milestones' against Canada rather than focussing on improving Pakistan's net run rate.

"They say that we are learning from our mistakes; what are you learning? Against Canada, you had to improve your net run rate and Rizwan scored the slowest fifty. Babar Azam scored 33 at a run-a-ball. There were no demons on the pitch," Shehzad said.

"Personal milestones have destroyed our cricket and the condition of our cricket is because of them. You don't have leadership, the only thing you have is social media generate king. You have won nothing in the last five years; you don't have fitness; you are playing politics; your cricket is on the decline. You have only stuck to friendships."