Harsha Bhogle comes out in support of Babar Azam

Pakistan captain Babar Azam is facing significant pressure as the Men in Green have suffered four consecutive defeats in the ICC World Cup 2023, raising concerns about their early exit from the competition. This predicament has sparked intense criticism in Pakistan, with rumours of a potential change in leadership gaining traction.

Renowned Indian commentator Harsha Bhogle expressed his view that the 29-year-old has not been treated with due respect and talks of making Shaheen Afridi captain should not take place.

"They (PCB) haven't treated Babar Azam well at all. It's not that Shaheen may become a very good captain for all that you know but he is very injury prone and has a lot of bowling to do.

"Let's wait till the tournament is over. What if Pakistan win the next three games and New Zealand capsize and suddenly Pakistan are in the semifinal, does that make Babar Azam a good captain and Shaheen Afridi no longer a contender?" he questioned.

Harsha Bhogle further stressed on Babar Azam's exceptional talent, stating that he is precisely the high-calibre batter Pakistan need in their match against Bangladesh at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata.

"We used to always talk about the big four and the big four is always Joe Root, Virat Kohli, Steve Smith, and Kane Williamson. And I think over the last four years he (Babar Azam) said no, he's not only big five but in big four, he has knocked somebody out. On this Kolkata pitch, the ball is going to turn and you need a batter like him to win the game," Bhogle said.