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PAK vs NZ: Azhar Ali supports Babar Azam’s captaincy despite defeat in third T20I

The former skipper believes the team should support the 29-year-old

By Web Desk

April 23, 2024

Azhar Ali (L) hopes that the team will support Babar Azam. — AFP/PCB

Former Pakistani captain Azhar Ali voiced his support for the Green Shirts’ white-ball skipper Babar Azam after losing in the third T20I against New Zealand on Sunday.

Azhar, who led the Men in Green for almost two years, shared his two cents on Azam’s captaincy after the home side was handed a seven-wicket loss at Pindi in the third match of the T20I series.

The former batter hailed Babar’s consistency as a batter saying he has performed with the bat during his captaincy.

"Babar's performance as a batsman has been good. He has consistently performed throughout his captaincy. If he couldn't perform well in the World Cup, it is okay. There have been some captains who have had similar experiences with poor performances in World Cups," Azhar said in an interview with a local newspaper.

He also stated that reappointing Babar as a captain wasn’t ideal nor removing him was. He then urged the team to support him as the 2024 T20 World Cup is nearing.

"However, I don't think Babar has any issues with his captaincy. The whole captaincy episode wasn't ideal. Neither removing him was ideal, nor was reappointing him ideal. Now I hope the team supports him better and that there are no hard feelings from anyone," he added.

Remember, New Zealand made a stunning comeback in the five-match T20I series courtesy of Mark Chapman who led the visitors to victory by seven wickets in the third match at the Pindi Cricket Stadium on April 21.

The series is now level at 1-1 with two matches remaining in Lahore. The matches are scheduled on April 25 and 27 at the Gaddafi Stadium.