"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.

"It's very easy to give opinion on TV. If someone wishes to offer advice, they are welcome to call me directly, my number is known to everyone," Babar said, referring to the criticism.

Malik had contended that Babar was was king as a batsman but not as a leader.

"The guy who is most responsible is the captain," Malik had said.

Moin had opined that Babar should learn from Indian batter Virat Kohli, who is now more focussed on batting after quitting captaincy. "He would have been better playing as a batsman than leading this team. Look at Kohli," said Moin.

Babar held firm and said his form was never affected by the criticisms.

"I have been captaining my team for the last three years and I have never felt this way. It's just because I have not performed the way I should have in the World Cup, that's why people are saying that I am under pressure.

"I don't think I was under any pressure or felt any different because of this. I try to give my best in the field during the fielding. During batting, I think about how I should make runs and make the team win," he said.

Facing a barrage of questions from Pakistani journalists including the possibility of