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Former Pakistan cricketer Rashid Latif slammed Pakistan batting star Babar Azam after a disappointing season at the T20 World Cup 2024. Latif questioned Azam’s approach and urged him to come up with a new batting approach in T20 cricket. Notably, the ninth edition of the tournament ended with India lifting the coveted title for the second time. Pakistan, on the other hand, had a below-par campaign and the Babar Azam-led side failed to make it to the Super 8 stage.
Latif’s comments came on the heels of Indian skipper Rohit Sharma displaying a more aggressive batting prowess as compared to his previous outings. The 55-year-old was quoted by Times Now as saying, “If Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli can change their batting approach in T20Is and if they can be successful, then why can’t Babar Azam? I’d like to cite Rohit Sharma’s example. You saw how he evolved his game in the 50-over format. He has made himself a role model.”
He added, “In this year’s IPL, he had close to a 140 strike-rate; if he can change his game, everyone can. He did not do this overweight, he had to work on his game. India showed they can do this. This is not a problem of the player but a problem of the ones who make them play.” Latif continued, “I would give Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan 5 matches to change their batting approach in T20Is, and if they won’t, then there should be no place in the team for them.”
The former wicketkeeper-batter also hailed outgoing India head coach, Rahul Dravid, and said, “If Rahul Dravid hadn’t been there, both of them wouldn’t have won the World Cup. There’s a need for a person between Babar Azam and Shaheen Afridi who can unite them. Everyone knows the problem; no one is talking about it. The team will perform when these two reunite. Pakistan had them earlier too.”
