Former Pakistan player Ramiz Raja has rated Babar Azam’s captaincy five out of 10 after Pakistan’s early exit from the 2024 T20 World Cup as well. He rated their batting and bowling two and six, respectively as well. However, Pakistan were eliminated from the ongoing T20 World Cup before the Super Eights as well.
During an interaction on Star Sports, Ramiz Raja said, “Batting would be probably a two and bowling probably a six. I would rate him (Babar) about five because a captain is as good as the team and your captaincy comes through when the team is bowling, and in the bowling department, Pakistan have not done too badly. He tried his best but the others had to put in an effort as well.”
“There was no consistency in selection. Their preparation was hotchpotch because they didn’t know who was going to open the innings. They were in that experimental mode for a very long time. Then they had to recall retired players. Even though they have been good in patches, what does it tell of the system?” Ramiz Raja again shared.
However, Ramiz Raja said that Imad Wasim and Mohammad Amir’s recall didn’t set a great example, as questions were raised about what would happen to the players who are waiting in the queue and trying to get into the national team as well. He also added that the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) management and the captaincy change also didn’t help them as well.
“They go back home. I think there is a lot of introspection needed. I think there is got to be queries regarding why did they go so horribly wrong, and it’s just the game awareness. You can see there is massive talent in bowling. There is bits and pieces in batting also but they have got to sort out the order up here (in the mind). They have also got to improve their game awareness, what ball to bowl in a crunch moment, and what shot to play. Like that Super Over where a left-hander in Fakhar Zaman was at the non-striker’s end to a left-arm fast bowler’s angle. How could they let that happen? It’s just mind-boggling, some of the stuff that we saw in this World Cup campaign,” Ramiz Raja concluded.
