Pakistan legends Javed Miandad and Misbah-ul-Haq have backed skipper Babar Azam for the team’s below-par showing in the Asia Cup. Pakistan exited in the Super Four after losing resoundingly to India and then on the last ball to Sri Lanka in the virtual semi-final.
Both stalwarts of Pakistani cricket urged the management to not get into panic mode based on two defeats. They also urged others to step up as pinning hopes entirely on Babar Azam is not fair.
“Why blame Babar Azam only when the rest of the team didn’t perform as well in the Asia Cup matches against India and Sri Lanka,” Miandad said at a match of the 40’s Global Cricket Event in Karachi.
Both Miandad and Misbah have played World Cups in India and advised the players to not let that affect them psychologically.
“Look our team is not as bad as it played in the Asia Cup. It has plenty of potential to do well in the World Cup. Only thing is how quickly our players cope and adjust to playing in Indian conditions before big crowds and in a country where they will encounter some hostility,” Miandad said.
Miandad, who had three tenures as Pakistan coach, asked for the World Cup squad to be announced soon to get rid of any ambiguity and ensure clarity in the team.
“The sooner this suspense about the final squad is ended the better it is for us in the mega-event,” Miandad said.
Meanwhile Misbah urged everyone in the squad to share burden of responsibility. “Don’t just expect Babar to perform every time. This is not possible. This team has been successful as a collective unit and they must remember that even in India,” he said.
He said Babar had now been the captain for three years and he would only get better in taking tactical and leadership decisions with time.
“Now is not the time to talk about his captaincy. He is someone who can be relied upon in the World Cup as a captain and batsman.” The former captain also felt that speculations and discussions about division in the dressing room and rumours about a player leaking inside information would only damage the team spirit.
“I have worked with these players as captain, coach and chief selector and I back them to do well in the World Cup,” Misbah said.
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