Usman Khawaja opens up about Babar Azam captaining Pakistan team in the future

| 2025-01-16 00:33:44

Pakistan failed to qualify for the Super 8 of the event which has led to criticism over Azam’s captaincy skills

Pakistan failed to qualify for the Super 8 of the event which has led to criticism over Azam’s (R) captaincy skills. - AFP

Australia’s Test batter Usman Khawaja on Monday opened up about Babar Azam leading Pakistan team in the future after the T20 World Cup 2024 debacle.

Pakistan failed to qualify for the Super 8 of the event which has led to criticism over Azam’s captaincy skills.

However, Khawaja backed Azam, who is the skipper in white-ball cricket, to lead the Pakistan team is he feels comfortable doing it.

“It's Babar Azam's decision to captain, if he can, he should,” Khawaja said at an event in Melbourne on Monday.

Khawaja admitted that Pakistan has a lot of talent but pointed out that lack of stability is hurting the Men in Green.

“Pakistan cricket team has a lot of talent. Expectations are high in Pakistan, the game is tough and only one team can win,” he said.

“When I look from the outside, changes are constant in the Pakistan cricket. Selection committee, staff and players keep changing. Such a situation is difficult because stability is very important. When there is no stability, it is difficult for players to perform. Pakistan cricket team never sees stability,” he added.

It is worth mentioning that Pakistan lost to the USA and India in their first two matches of the tournament despite having the games in their grasp.

After their back-to-back losses, the Green Shirts’ chances of making it to the Super 8 became less and they were dependent on the USA losing to Ireland.

However, the match between the USA and Ireland was called off due to rain in Florida and both teams were awarded a point, which ended Pakistan’s journey in the World Cup.

Pakistan’s next assignment is the two-match Test series against Bangladesh at home in August.