Cricket World Cup 2023: Babar Azam Under Pressure Due To "Additional Burden" Of Captaincy? Pakistan Skipper's Honest Reply

24.10.2023 - 12:59 sports.ndtv.com

With three straight losses to India, Australia and now Afghanistan, the Babar Azam-led Pakistan cricket team is facing the music at the ODI Cricket World Cup 2023.

The side was one of the pre-tournament favourites, but the side's display at the Cricket World Cup has not been up to the mark.

In fact, they are now at a risk of getting knocked out of the Cricket World Cup in the league stage itself. Apart from the team's show in the batting and bowling departments, Babar Azam's captaincy is also under focus.

Counted as among the top batters of the current generation, Babar Azam's captaincy has been questioned by some former Pakistan cricket team stars too.

cricket Pakistan Cricket Team World Cup 2023 cup Babar Azam Australia India Afghanistan Pakistan

Pakistan cricket team skipper Babar Azam said on Friday that the team is aware of the improbable scenarios that can lead to their qualification for the Cricket World Cup 2023 semi-finals and they have already formulated a plan in accordance to the situations. Following New Zealand's huge win over Sri Lanka on Thursday, Pakistan will now have to win by more than 287 runs if they bat first and in case of a chase, they need to complete it with 284 balls to spare. While the situation is heavily against the 1992 champions, Babar maintained that 'anything can happen' in the game of cricket.

Pakistan's Predicted XI vs England, Cricket World Cup 2023: Will Babar Azam And Co Stick To Winning Combination?

Pakistan will go up against England in their final ICC World Cup 2023 league phase match on Saturday, November 11. Eden Gardens in Kolkata will host this fixture, scheduled to start at 2:00 PM IST. With four wins and four defeats in eight matches, Pakistan's semi-final qualification chances hang in balance. They need to win the upcoming match and hope for favourable results elsewhere to make it to the last four. In their previous match, the Babar Azam-led side defeated New Zealand by 21 runs (DLS method) to keep their semis dream alive.

"Easy To Give Opinion On TV": Babar Azam Hits Back At Criticism During Cricket World Cup 2023

Hitting back at critics for questioning his leadership skills, Pakistan skipper Babar Azam on Friday said it's easy to give opinion on TV and asserted that captaincy had no adverse impact on his batting in the Cricket World Cup 2023. Azam has been in the eye of storm after their embarrassing eight-wicket defeat against Afghanistan and for failing to defend 271 against South Africa, who they had reduced to 260/9. Former skippers including Moin Khan and Shoaib Malik have openly criticised Babar's captaincy on air and felt that the burden of leadership has affected his batting.

'Give Same Pakistan Team to MS Dhoni': Ex-India Batter's Hilarious Criticism Of Babar Azam's Captaincy At Cricket World Cup 2023

Pakistan are not having an ideal ODI Cricket World Cup campaign as the 1992 champions lost four out of their eight matches and are on the brink of elimination. With only one match remaining in their league stage, Pakistan will be giving their best efforts to clinch a big victory against England, who are already out of the contention. Due to the team's dismal show at the World Cup, skipper Babar Azam has been receiving a lot of backlash as many former cricketers have criticised him for his poor captaincy. Apart from leading, Babar's performance with the bat has also not been up to the mark.

Cricket World Cup 2023: Pakistan Pip New Zealand By 21 Runs Via DLS Method To Keep Semi-Final Hopes Alive

Pakistan defeated New Zealand by 21 runs via DLS method in a rain-hit World Cup game to keep their semifinal hopes alive in Bengaluru on Saturday. Opener Fakhar Zaman played an unbeaten knock of 126 and was well-assisted by skipper Babar Azam (66 not out) during their run chase, which was impacted by intermitted rain. New Zealand had amassed 401 for six in their 50 overs. Following a short spell of rain, Pakistan were set a revised target of 342 in 41 overs. The rain returned in the 26th over with Pakistan cruising at 200 for one but no play was possible thereafter.

"If The Team Wins...": Pakistan Star Hits Back At 'Biryani' Criticism During Cricket World Cup 2023

It has not been an impressive campaign for the Pakistan cricket team at the Cricket World Cup 2023 till now. They have won three out of their seven matches and the Babar Azam-led side face a tough uphill battle for semi-final qualification. While the players and the Pakistan Cricket Board have come under a lot of pressure for the display, one of the major points made by fans and experts revolve around the food dish 'biryani'. Since coming to India, Pakistan cricketers have indulged in biryani from various cities and that has made its way into criticism from different corners following some dismal on-field performances.