Picture Credit: Twitter
Moin Khan, the former Pakistan cricketer, didn’t mince words in criticising Babar Azam as a player and a leader, in the wake of a humiliating loss for the Men in Green against India in the ODI World Cup 2023. The 52-year-old called Babar Azam a “scared captain,” after the Men in Blue secured their eighth successive win against the Pakistan cricket team in the quadrennial spectacle, on October 14.
At one stage during the highly anticipated contest, which was played at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, Pakistan were in control at 155-2 in the 30th over, with Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan at the crease. But, after the captain of Pakistan lost his wicket for 50 off 58 balls, the entire innings for the Men in Green fell away, as they were bundled out for 191.
Also Watch: Wasim Akram voices frustration at Babar Azam receiving signed jerseys from Virat Kohli
In the run chase, Team India were dominant from start to finish, with their captain Rohit Sharma playing a swashbuckling innings of 86 off 63, which included six fours and six maximums. After the ODI World Cup 2023 contest ended in a massive defeat for Pakistan, Moin Khan called out Babar Azam for failing to galvanise his team in the face of adversity.
He was quoted as saying, as per the Times of India, “Aapka kaptaan jab dara hua nazar ayega, nahi khelega, to ladke bhi phir wese hi react karte hain (If your captain looks afraid to play his shots, the other players in the team also react similarly).”
"They looked under pressure, and clearly, because of this, they didn't execute proper shots. Aap pehle se dare hue honge 'yaar mai shots khelunga to out na ho jaun' (you are afraid beforehand, thinking you'll get out while playing shots). I didn't see intent from any batters," Moin Khan added.
