Shoaib Malik wants Babar Azam to quit Pakistan’s captaincy, questions Mohammad Rizwan’s shot selection

Pakistan all-rounder Shoaib Malik has made a scathing attack on captain Babar Azam and the batting approach of the team’s senior players during their six-run loss against India in the ongoing T20 World Cup.

After their bowlers restricted India to a below average total of 119, and they had six wickets in hand while chasing 40 runs from 35 balls even after their trusted anchor Mohammad Rizwan departed, Pakistan’s extraordinary collapse in the run chase drew the ire of some of former cricketers.

“I have been saying for a long time, please leave captaincy. You are a class player, and you will only be able to show your class when you do not have additional responsibilities on you. If Babar stays away from captaincy, it will be good for him,” Shoaib Malik said on Ten Sports.

Former captain Malik did not hold back in his assessment of Pakistan’s batting performance, especially from two of their senior players — Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan.

Pakistan’s Babar Azam celebrates with Shaheen Shah Afridi after taking the wicket of India’s Rishabh Pant (Reuters)

“People keep talking about Babar and Rizwan’s strike rates, so you brought in Saim Ayub,” Malik said.

“Yesterday, it was a 120 chase, why were you trying to improve your strike rate yesterday? The platform was set in every manner. If as a leader and a batter, your brain does kick-in, in these sorts of situations, when will it? I am forced to say today that the core of this team, in the T20I format, I think we have to stop backing them,” Malik added.

Malik also questioned Mohammad Rizwan’s shot selection against India.

“I didn’t understand that shot from Rizwan. They brought back their main bowler to pick up a wicket and Rizwan has been playing for so long and captaining in PSL He should be familiar with the situation and put up his hand and say this is my match,” he said.

Pakistan will face Canada on Tuesday at the Nassau County International Cricket Stadium, New York.

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