"Used To Be Pakistan's Hope...": Babar Azam Slammed Yet Again, Torn Apart By Ex-Star

Former Pakistan batter Rashid Latif criticised former captain Babar Azam for his approach in the Champions Trophy opener against New Zealand in Karachi as the hosts suffered a 60-run defeat on ICC tournament's return in the country after 1996. Chasing 321, Babar contributed 64 in 90 balls while Salman Agha and Kushdil Shah scored quickfire 42 and 69, respectively but it was not enough to take the side over the line in the tournament opener. After the match, Pakistan fans and former cricketers raised concerns regarding Babar's poor strike rate in the high-scoring chase. Latif called the backlash right adding that Babar should have taken risks during his stay at the crease.

“I think Babar Azam is being rightly criticised. If the ball is not coming onto the bat then you should have a Plan B. If you keep racking up the dot balls then you add pressure onto the team. Babar should have taken more risks, I believe the opening ten overs were there to take risks, as they struggle to play freely against spin. People think Pakistan have been unpredictable but Babar's batting has become predictable," Latif told IANS.

The former wicketkeeper-batter added that Babar has not been Pakistan's hope anymore citing the example of Virat Kohli, who earned the respect worldwide after scoring in clutch situations for India.

“Bowlers always know what shot he will play against which ball. Babar used to be Pakistan's hope at one time but not anymore as there are other players who can do (better). If on a day when Virat Kohli does not perform then Shubman Gill will perform, if he does not then Rohit is there, you've got Shreyas Iyer, Hardik Pandya and KL Rahul as well but Virat is a big game player, he played a crucial innings in the T20 World Cup