"Pakistan's Best Player Won't Get Into Playing XI Of Top 5 Teams": Shoaib Malik Slanders Babar Azam

19.07.2024 - 14:15 sports.ndtv.com

Pakistan cricket team captain Babar Azam continues to court criticism from former players. Citing the example of the Indian team and their skipper Rohit Sharma, former Pakistan star Shoaib Malik suggested that Babar wouldn't get picked in the playing XIs of any of the top teams in the world, be it India, England, Australia, or others.

Babar's team produced a horror show in the recently concluded T20 World Cup and were eliminated in the group stage itself. Defeats against India and Afghanistan resulted in Pakistan's elimination, and Malik wants Babar to change the way he plays the game completely.

In a chat on Ten Sports, Shoaib Malik asked if Pakistan's 'best player' Babar would even get into the playing XI of the top sides in the team. "Who is our best layer?

Our best player is Babar Azam. I am just talking about the top 4-5 teams. Can Babar fit in the playing XI of those teams? Of Australia, of India or of England in just this particular format?

cricket Pakistan Cricket Team Babar Azam Rohit Sharma Shoaib Malik Australia India state Oregon Afghanistan Pakistan

Pakistan have promoted Saud Shakeel to the role of vice-captain as the Pakistan Cricket Board announced a 17-player squad for their two-match Test series against Bangladesh that commences later this month. Shakeel will take over the crucial job of vice captain from Shaheen Afridi, with selectors advising the star quick to have his workload managed over the coming months, with the side scheduled to play nine Tests, 14 T20Is, and at least 17 ODIs between now and the start of April next year, as per the ICC. The promotion of Shakeel to partner skipper Shan Masood in the leadership positions is among the biggest surprises from Pakistan's announcement, as the Asian side named a new-look 17-player squad for their first Test series under head coach Jason Gillespie.

Bangladesh Tour To Pakistan In Doubt, PCB Offer To Fly Out Players

Bangladesh senior men's team two-Test away series against Pakistan starting August 21 in Rawalpindi looks doubtful due to the current civil unrest in the country after former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina was forced to resign and flee the country. Bangladesh's senior team are supposed to play two Tests in Rawalpindi (August 21-25) and Karachi (Aug 30-Sep 3) but in current scenario, it might be difficult for national team to travel for a serious. Even Bangladesh A team's shadow tour has been rendered doubtful Former Test skipper Mominul Haque was supposed to play for Bangladesh A in that series vs Pakistan Shaheens (A).

Pakistan Fan Says Babar Azam Ignored Irfan Pathan For Interview, Harbhajan Singh Gives Angry Response

Former India spinner Harbhajan Singh has lashed out at a Pakistani fan on social media. The fan had posted a clip where Pakistan captain Babar Azam can be seen rejecting an interview. However, the fan incorrectly said that the interviewer was former India all-rounder Irfan Pathan. Enraged at the false appropriation, Harbhajan jumped to the defence of his former teammate and slammed the fan. In fact, Harbhajan went as far as to mock the English-speaking ability of the Pakistani cricketers.

"Pakistan Went To India, Now...": Ex-Pak Captain's Passionate Champions Trophy Plea

Former Pakistan captain Shoaib Malik has shared his views on India's potential withdrawal from the Champions Trophy 2025. Ever since Pakistan were awarded the rights to host the Champions Trophy, there has been a debate whether or not India will travel to their neighbouring country. India and Pakistan have not played a bilateral series in over a year. While India's last visit to Pakistan came way back in 2006, the two last played a bilateral series in 2012/13, which was hosted by India. Due to the political differences between the two nations, it has been reported that the Indian government is unlikely to give travel clearance to the team for the tournament in Pakistan.

Pakistan Star, Who Criticised Babar Azam, Bowled Thrice By Local Bowler, Gets Trolled. Watch

Out-of-favour Pakistan batter Ahmed Shehzad was brutally trolled by fans on social media after a video of him getting clean bowled by a local bowler went viral. Shehzad has been in the news recently for his criticism of Pakistan captain Babar Azam. After Pakistan's early exit from the T20 World Cup last month, Shehzad had urged the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to get rid of senior players, including captain Babar, star pacer Shaheen Afridi and wicketkeeper-batter Mohammad Rizwan. Shehzad also accused Babar of indulging in groupism within the team to protect his teammates cum close friends, also labelling the latter as a "social media" king.

Not Rohit Sharma Or Virat Kohli: Babar Azam's 'Best Batter' Pick Leaves AB De Villiers Amused

Pakistan cricket team captain Babar Azam picked South Africa legend AB De Villiers as the best batter he has played against during his career. Babar recently appeared in an interview on De Villiers' official YouTube channel and when the former Proteas batter asked him to choose, Babar was quick to pick him over any active cricketer. De Villiers was left amused by the answer and although he asked Babar to choose someone other than him, the Pakistan cricketer said that his answer remains AB De Villiers.