Former India opener Aakash Chopra came out in defence of Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan after Pakistan’s T20 World Cup 2024 exit saying that they should not be blamed.
Pakistan lost to the United States (USA) and India in their first two matches of the T20 World Cup which made things difficult for them in their pursuit of the Super 8.
Pakistan needed the USA to defeat Ireland on June 14 but the match was called off due to excessive rain in Lauderhill, Florida and Pakistan’s journey in the T20 World Cup ended right there.
Aakash, who became a renowned commentator in recent years, stated that blaming Babar and Rizwan’s play of style for Pakistan’s poor performance in the tournament is not right as everyone knew that they play in a certain way.
"Why are you blaming Mohammad Rizwan and Babar Azam? Everyone is saying that Babar and Rizwan play like this or that and that they shouldn't be played in T20Is, and you don't qualify because of them. Then I ask a question, it's both for the Pakistan public and the selectors - did you not know that they play like this?" Aakash said while talking on his YouTube channel.
"Is it a shock for you that Rizwan takes his time and Babar also has a style of playing? If you made players who play like that the captain and an important player (Rizwan), it's not their mistake.
"They play like that only and you have not lost because of them. Even if you have lost, the fact is that these players have played like this only, not from today but for the last eight years," he added.
Earlier, Chopra joined the ongoing criticism over the International Cricket Council (ICC) choosing below-standard pitches in the USA and Caribbean, as there are many matches that have been abandoned with not even a ball being bowled in the three games in Florida so far.
"One more match didn't happen due to rain (wet outfield). Not even a single ball was bowled in the India vs Canada match. The last game between the USA and Ireland was also abandoned. My big question is - the globalisation we are trying to achieve through this World Cup, is it half-hearted? Secondly, is it happening the right way because if the matches only are not happening, how is it happening right?" Chopra asked.
