We don't feel Pakistan can win when Babar is in the middle, says Shahid Afridi

Pakistan's No.1 ranked ODI batter and captain, Babar Azam, has faced criticism from numerous former cricketers and fans throughout the country because of his performance in the ongoing ICC Men's Cricket World Cup 2023.

The 29-year-old has hit 216 runs in seven innings with the help of three fifties but his strike-rate has been on the lower side.

Recently, Shahid Afridi, the former captain and ex-cricketer of Pakistan, raised concerns about his capabilities as a match-winning batter in the current playing XI and censured his inability to finish the match like other star players.

While speaking on a private TV show, Afridi said" "When Babar Azam is at the crease, everyone expects him to contribute 50-60 runs to the scoreboard. On the other hand, Virat and KL Rahul not only score runs but also ensure that they remain at the crease until the end to help India secure victory."

"But sometimes, it becomes challenging to explain to Babar Azam's fans what the team requires from the player. We label Babar as a great player, but sustaining that level is a formidable task," he remarked.

Shahid Afridi went on to suggest that Babar Azam needs to establish a reputation for himself such that when he is at the crease, it is believed, "Babar is at the crease, he's going to secure victory for us."

Earlier, former Indian cricketer Mohammad Kaif also talked about the hitting ability of the Pakistani skipper Babar Azam after the 29-year-old got out against Bangladesh.

He stated that Babar Azam doesn't have the ability of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli to change the gear of the innings.

"The dismissal shows that when he changes gears, it is not his game. When he tries to hit balls out of the boundary, he gets caught on the line. It is not his strength, he is a touch player. If you ask him to score runs at a fast pace after 60 balls, he probably does not have the ability that Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli have," he said.