"Hit With Tomatoes, Rotten Eggs": Ex-Pakistan Star Recounts 1996 World Cup Experience, Says Babar Azam-led Side Lucky

14.11.2023 - 11:39 sports.ndtv.com

Pakistan cricket is currently going through a tough phase. After a poor ODI Cricket World Cup 2023 campaign, which saw the Babar Azam-led Pakistan cricket team finish fifth in the 10-team competition, it's time for assessment of the side.

And, former Pakistan cricket team stars have not been too kind. From criticising the coaching staff to the Pakistan skipper Babar Azam, the side is under fire.

However, according to former Pakistan cricket team pacer, Aquib Javed the treatment meted out to the current Pakistan cricket team is very mild compared to what happened to earlier teams. "Can't we now even criticise a team after it comes home post a loss?

These guys are lucky. In 1996, I personal experience that I had...we were afraid as we returned (from India). At the airport, even the security people could not reach , we wondered how will we reach home.

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

The Cricket World Cup 2023 was a forgettable one for the Pakistan team and its skipper Babar Azam. Despite being one of the most respected batters in the game, Babar failed to leave his mark at the grandest stage, with the results even prompting a change in the Pakistan team's captaincy. Just as the cricket world was looking to move on from Babar and Pakistan's World Cup debacle, Iceland cricket trolled the star batter in epic fashion, while replying to a non-cricketing post on X (formerly Twitter).

Watch: Babar Azam Chases Mohammad Rizwan With Bat In Hand After Pakistan Star Does This

A funny video of Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan is going viral on social media. In the clip, Babar could be seen leaving his crease after a ball was delivered. Wicketkeeper Rizwan throws the ball on the stumps after collection and appeals for a run-out from the leg umpire. The follow-up sees Babar running funnily towards Rizwan in a bid to hit the wicketkeeper with his bat. As Rizwan runs behind the stumps to save himself, Babar chases the player, giving rise to a hilarious scene.

Watch: Babar Azam Tries To Hit Mohammad Rizwan With Bat In Funny Video

"Typical Of Pakistan": Australia Great's Blunt Take On Captaincy Change, Babar Azam

Former Australia captain Ian Chappell has criticised the Pakistan cricket team over Babar Azam stepping down as the captain of the side following the Asian team's Cricket World Cup 2023 debacle. Babar stepped down from his role in mid November. Pakistan lost five out of their nine matches at the mega event and failed to qualify for the semifinals. Babar came under a lot of pressure from both experts and fans regarding his captaincy and his lack of form with the bat did not help the matter. Shan Masood was appointed Test captain while Shaheen Afridi took over as the T20I captain.

Who Can Break Virat Kohli's 50 ODI Tons Record? Ex-Pakistan Star Says Babar Azam And...

Days after Virat Kohli reached the milestone of 50 ODI centuries, former Pakistan cricketer Kamran Akmal said that Babar Azam could break the star Indian player's record. Speaking on a Pakistani news channel 'ARY News', Akmal said that only the top three batters can break the record of 50 ODI centuries and added that Babar could do it. The former Pakistan player added that Indian opener Shubman Gill can also chase the record of 50 ODI centuries.

"He Could Not Improve...": Shahid Afridi Slams Babar Azam's Captaincy After Pakistan's Elimination From Cricket World Cup 2023

Former Pakistan all-rounder Shahid Afridi has lashed out at Babar Azam's capataincy after the national cricket team's poor show at Cricket World Cup 2023. Pakistan lost five of their nine matches played in the league stage of the tournament and failed to qualify for the semi-finals. Their defeats also included one at the hands of Afghanistan. The Hashmatullah Shahidi-led side outplayed Babar Azam and company by eight wickets. Criticising Babar, Afridi said that the player has not improved as captain in the past few years.