Former Indian cricketer Gautam Gambhir strongly criticized Pakistan’s captain, Babar Azam, for his performance in the ongoing ICC Cricket World Cup match against India.
On October 14, India defeated Pakistan by seven wickets at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. While Babar was playing with wicketkeeper-batter Mohammad Rizwan, Gautam Gambhir noticed that the 29-year-old batsman appeared a little anxious and had some criticism for the 29-year-old’s strategy. It’s important to note that Babar and Rizwan, who amassed 50 and 49 runs, respectively, were Pakistan’s top run scorers.
“Babar Azam has been extremely timid. Two batters cannot bat the same way in a partnership, one of them has to take chances. If you are playing for a fifty or your runs, you will get such results,” Gambhir said during a discussion on Star Sports.
Gambhir continued by expressing that Pakistan once boasted a formidable lineup of strong batters. However, there doesn’t seem to be a single top-order batsman capable of playing aggressively.
“Babar Azam has scored a lot of runs for himself but it’s been Pakistan’s history that they have liked to bat aggressively at the start, whether it was Shahid Afridi, Imran Nazir or Taufeeq Umar, and they consolidate in the middle. However, here in the top three, there isn’t a single batter who can take on the opposition attack,” he added.
The former Indian opener also expressed that the Pakistan team should’ve started their innings with a bolder approach when facing such a high-caliber Indian bowling attack.
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“When you play against a top-quality attack, at times you discuss in the dressing room that you will play freely even if you get out for 150, you will not play timidly. If the top three get out early, then the No. 4 and No. 5 would consolidate,” he concluded.
Babar Azam-led Pakistan team will face Australia next at Bengaluru. Australia have lost both of their matches and is currently on the last of the table.
