Former Pakistan captain Rashid Latif has not minced his words in criticizing white-ball captain Babar Azam and wicketkeeper Mohammad Rizwan. Latif has called on the duo to change their batting approach or face the possibility of being dropped from the T20I squad.
Babar and Rizwan have come under fire for their slow batting style in T20Is. Despite their consistent scoring, their strike rates hover around the 130s, which Latif believes is too slow for modern T20 cricket.
A Warning for Babar Azam and Rizwan
In a candid discussion on his YouTube channel, Latif urged the Pakistani pair to take inspiration from Indian batsmen Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, who changed their game over the years to fit in the T20I team.
“Rohit has transformed his game completely; he has become a role model. His IPL strike rate used to be 130-140, but this year it went up to 160. Virat Kohli did the same thing. If these two can change, then anyone can,” Latif said.
Latif gave a stern warning to Babar and Rizwan, stating, “I would give Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan five matches to change their batting approach in T20Is, and if they don’t, then there should be no place in the team for them.”
Leadership Concerns
The former wicketkeeper also touched on the turmoil within the Pakistan team, especially regarding Babar’s return as captain. He believes Babar’s reinstatement has caused more harm than good, amid rumors of groupings within the team.
“After the World Cup in India, things shouldn’t have gone the way they did. It’s their own thinking that they [PCB] removed Babar, and Shaheen [Afridi] came forward, but then again, Babar became weak as a captain,” said Latif.
“Whoever comes to lead should do so with confidence. In my opinion, Babar’s biggest mistake was accepting the captaincy again. If he continues as captain, that will be an even bigger mistake,” he added.
Babar Azam and his team has been under intense scrutiny following their poor performance in the 2024 T20 World Cup, where they were knocked out in the group stage for the first time in history.
As Pakistan looks to rebuild and regain their former glory, the call for change is louder than ever. Whether Babar and Rizwan can adapt their game remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: the pressure is on.
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