Will Babar Azam remain part of T20Is?
LAHORE: Pakistan’s newly-appointed white-ball head coach, Aqib Javed, addressed questions about star batter Babar Azam’s future in the national T20I team on Wednesday.
Babar, currently struggling with his form, had a disappointing performance in the recent T20I series against Australia. He scored only 47 runs across three matches, with an average of 15.66 and a strike rate of 142.42.
Former cricketer Basit Ali claimed that Babar’s struggles might have marked the end of his T20I career. Speaking on a local TV program, Basit said, “As long as Aqib Javed is head coach, this might be Babar Azam’s last T20 match. You can’t rely on a player who averages 14 runs in three games and often gets out before the eighth over.”
When asked about Basit’s remarks and Babar’s future in T20Is, Aqib dismissed the claims and emphasized the batter’s value to the team. “Senior players like Babar and Rizwan have proven their worth over the years,” Aqib said during a press conference. “Everyone is entitled to their opinion, but our focus isn’t on targeting individuals.”
He further clarified, “As a coach or selector, your goal isn’t about personal preferences but improving Pakistan cricket as a whole. Babar has been instrumental in many successes, including the recent ODI series. It’s about working collectively for Pakistan cricket’s progress, not singling out players.”
Aqib assured fans that the team’s efforts aim to strengthen Pakistan cricket and deliver better results, rather than focusing on individual performances or criticism.
