Babar Azam's Captaincy Under Fire After Draw Against New Zealand
Introduction

Recently, Babar Azam, the current captain of the Pakistan cricket team, has come under fire from former Pakistani cricketer and commentator, Shoaib Akhtar, for his captaincy during the T20I series against New Zealand. Akhtar criticized Azam's leadership skills and questioned his ability to lead the team. In this article, we will delve deeper into this controversy and analyze whether these allegations hold any merit.

Babar Azam's Background and Career

To understand the context of this controversy, let's first take a look at Babar Azam's background and career. Azam is a prolific batsman who made his international debut for Pakistan in 2015. He has since established himself as one of the best batsmen in the world and currently holds the record for the fastest player to score 13 centuries in ODI cricket.

Azam was appointed as the captain of the Pakistan cricket team in November 2020, replacing Azhar Ali. He was chosen to lead the team due to his exceptional batting skills and his potential as a leader.

The T20I Series Against New Zealand

Pakistan recently played a three-match T20I series against New Zealand in New Zealand. The first match was won by New Zealand, while the second match was abandoned due to rain. The third and final match of the series ended in a thrilling tie, with both teams scoring 173 runs.

After the match, Shoaib Akhtar criticized Babar Azam's captaincy in a video on his YouTube channel. Akhtar claimed that Azam was not proactive enough during the match and failed to make necessary changes in the field. He also criticized Azam's decision to bat first after winning the toss, stating that it was a wrong decision as the pitch favored the team batting second.

Analysis of Akhtar's Claims

Let's now analyze Akhtar's claims and see if they hold any merit. Firstly, Akhtar criticized Azam for not being proactive enough during the match. However, it is important to note that cricket is a team sport, and the captain cannot be solely responsible for the team's performance. The players also need to take responsibility and perform their roles effectively. Additionally, it is possible that Azam had a specific plan in mind and was executing it accordingly.

Secondly, Akhtar criticized Azam's decision to bat first after winning the toss. While it is true that the pitch favored the team batting second, it is also important to consider the team's strengths and weaknesses. Pakistan has a strong batting lineup, and Azam may have believed that his team could put up a defendable total. It is also possible that Azam had taken into account the weather conditions and wanted to give his bowlers a chance to bowl in favorable conditions.

Conclusion

In conclusion, while Shoaib Akhtar's criticisms of Babar Azam's captaincy are understandable, they may not necessarily hold any merit. Azam is a young captain who is still learning the ropes, and it is unfair to judge him based on one match. It is important to give him time to grow into his role and make mistakes along the way. Ultimately, it is the team's performance that matters, and Azam needs to work with his players to ensure that they perform to the best of their abilities.

FAQs

Who is Babar Azam? Babar Azam is the current captain of the Pakistan cricket team.

Why did Shoaib Akhtar criticize Babar Azam's captaincy? Shoaib Akhtar criticized Babar Azam's captaincy after Pakistan's T20I series against New Zealand, stating that Az