Former India player turned veteran commentator Aakash Chopra has added that Babar Azam is not solely responsible for Pakistan’s poor performances in the ongoing 2023 World Cup. Pakistan will take on South Africa at the Chepauk in Chennai on Friday, October 27. Pakistan have faced defeats in their last three games and they are in a virtual must-win situation to keep their hopes alive of qualifying for the semifinals as well.

In a video shared on his YouTube channel, Chopra said: “If the match is on a good pitch and South Africa get to bat first and start hitting, Pakistan’s situation can become slightly bad. There is also a different atmosphere in Pakistan. There are reports from their board that they are standing with them but if you have to say that, it means you are not. From their statements, it seems like preparations have been made to remove Babar Azam. There is no doubt that his captaincy has been ordinary, his form has also been very ordinary but he is not the only problem. You are not losing because of him. There are a lot of other reasons as well.”

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However, Babar Azam has smashed 157 runs which came at an average of 31.40 and a strike rate of 79.69 in his five innings in the tournament. Meanwhile, he has failed to inspire his team as a skipper as well. Aakash Chopra also picked Pakistan’s bowling as a concern.

“South Africa will bat first if they win the toss and Pakistan will also do the same, but Pakistan’s bowling is extremely ordinary. I don’t know how they will recover and start bowling well. Shadab Khan and Usama Mir – God only knows if they will play Mohammad Nawaz now or not. Abrar (Ahmed) should have been in this team. You would have got a little mystery but he isn’t there. Shaheen Shah Afridi picked up wickets in one match, bowled decently against Afghanistan as well, but that sharpness is not there,” Aakash Chopra concluded.