Former Pakistan pacer Mohammad Asif has shared his views on the current state of Pakistan cricket, specifically focusing on white-ball captain Babar Azam. Asif, known for his straightforward opinions, appeared on a YouTube podcast and offered some advice to the star batsman.
Asif praised Babar Azam, calling him the only “proper player” in the national team at the moment. However, he expressed concern about Babar’s involvement in captaincy and cricket politics. “To be honest, we only have Babar Azam at this point. He is above captaincy, and he shouldn’t run after it. I don’t know why he is after captaincy. Babar Azam is currently the backbone; even if he steps out of the circle, he will manage,” Asif said.
He further added, “He is the only proper player right now. I don’t know why he is being dragged into politics, or if he is getting involved in it, he shouldn’t do that. He is above the captaincy and needs to carry the young players in his circle along with him. Such politics could damage his career.”
Last year, Asif made headlines with a bold claim that he could bowl a maiden over to Babar Azam in T20 cricket, citing Babar’s struggles with power-hitting. “I can bowl a maiden over to Babar Azam in T20 cricket even today,” Asif stated. “He cannot hit the ball if you bowl good deliveries to him.”
The Pakistan team, under Babar Azam’s leadership, faced a significant setback last year when they were eliminated in the group stage of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup. In a surprising turn of events, the team failed to advance to the Super Eights, primarily due to an upset defeat against co-host United States of America (USA) in the opening match, followed by a narrow loss to arch-rivals India.
Since their early exit, the Pakistan cricket team has been under intense scrutiny, facing criticism from fans and experts alike. Asif’s advice highlights the pressures and challenges Babar Azam faces, not just on the field but also in navigating the complex dynamics of leadership and team politics.
Asif’s remarks are a reminder of the potential pitfalls for talented players who take on the added burden of captaincy, suggesting that Babar Azam might be more effective focusing solely on his batting and mentoring younger players without the additional pressures of leading the team.
