Pakistan’s downward spiral in ODI cricket continued as they suffered a 2-1 series defeat to the West Indies, capped off by a crushing 203-run loss in the decider. Chasing 295, Pakistan collapsed for just 92 runs, triggering widespread criticism from fans and former players alike.
Senior Players Under Fire: Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan
Pakistan’s senior-most batters, Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan, are facing tough questions after below-par performances in the three-match series. Rizwan managed scores of 53, 16, and 0, while Babar—who hasn’t scored an ODI century in over two years—posted 47, 0, and 9.
Former cricketer Basit Ali didn’t hold back in his criticism. Speaking on The Game Plan, he said:
“They’re living up to the performances they gave in the early part of their careers. Ab inse bas advertisements kara lo [Let them just do ads now].”
He added that both players seemingly ignore coaching advice and lack accountability:
“They pretend to listen to the batting coaches. What they need is a strong figure like Inzamam, Mohammad Yousuf, or Younis Khan to hold them accountable—but they’ve never let anyone do that.”
Kamran Akmal Offers Advice to Cousin Babar Azam
Adding to the wave of criticism, Babar’s cousin and former Pakistan wicketkeeper-batter Kamran Akmal called for more humility on the field. While he acknowledged Babar’s respectful nature off the pitch, he urged him to remember his responsibilities when playing for Pakistan.
“I haven’t seen any ego in him off the field. But on the field, I want him to stop acting bigger than the game. Prioritise Pakistan,” said Kamran.
He also criticized Babar’s past decisions as captain, particularly the backing of underperforming players:
“The investments he made in some players didn’t work out well for Pakistan.”
What’s Next for Pakistan?
The team now turns its focus to the upcoming T20I tri-series against Afghanistan and hosts UAE, set to begin on August 29 in Sharjah. With World Cup qualifiers and major tournaments around the corner, this tri-series could prove crucial for Pakistan’s preparations—and for their senior players to silence critics with performances on the field.
