Babar Azam, Pakistan’s cricketing superstar, is facing more than just criticism for his recent dip in form. His captaincy in white-ball cricket is under intense scrutiny following Pakistan’s early exit from the ICC T20 World Cup 2024.
But the challenges for Babar seem to run deeper, as former chief selector Mohammad Wasim recently shed light on his experiences working with the star batter, revealing a side of Babar that many fans might not know.
Babar Azam – A Stubborn Leader?
In an interview with a local sports platform, Wasim didn’t hold back when talking about the difficulties he faced while trying to navigate Pakistan’s cricketing ship. According to him, Babar was often “very stubborn” and resistant to the changes the selection committee recommended.
“It was painful to make him understand the advantages of changes. He was very stubborn, and I overstepped my limitations to get him on board with certain calls. He was not ready to accept changes,” Wasim shared.
These revelations come at a time when Babar’s role as the white-ball captain is being questioned. His leadership, once hailed as promising, is now being dissected after the team’s disappointing World Cup campaign.
For a captain, being flexible and open to changes is crucial, but Wasim’s words suggest that Babar Azam might have struggled in this area, potentially contributing to the team’s underwhelming performance.
The Imad Wasim Controversy
Wasim’s candidness didn’t stop with Babar. He also called out all-rounder Imad Wasim, accusing him of hiding a knee injury during the World Cup. According to Wasim, Imad’s fitness has been a lingering issue, one that the player has allegedly been concealing for years.
“Imad has a knee injury, but he has been hiding it for years. We always speak about Azam Khan’s fitness levels, but Imad is also suffering from the same problem. He was dropped from the side for that same reason, and I also dropped him during my tenure so that he could work on his fitness,” Wasim explained.
Fitness has always been a touchy subject in Pakistan cricket, with several players coming under the scanner for not meeting the required standards. Imad’s case seems to be another chapter in this ongoing saga, raising questions about transparency and accountability within the team.
Read More: Former Selector Accuses Imad Wasim Of Hiding Knee Injury For Years
A “Cancer” in the Team?
Perhaps the most startling revelation from Wasim was about a group of players he claims are a “cancer” to the team. Without naming names, he mentioned that four coaches identified this group as detrimental to Pakistan’s chances of success.
“I will not take names, but four coaches said that a group of players is cancer to the team. If they are part of the squad, Pakistan can’t win. I tried to remove them from the team, but the team management recalled them,” Wasim stated.
Read More: Babar Azam’s Dipping Form: A Major Concern For Pakistan In Test Cricket
These are strong words, and they paint a worrying picture of the internal dynamics within the Pakistan cricket team. If true, it suggests that the issues go beyond just form and fitness; they hint at a toxic environment that could be undermining the team’s potential.
With these revelations coming to light, the pressure on Babar Azam and the Pakistan cricket team is only going to increase. For Babar, the challenge will be to prove his critics wrong.
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