Shahid Afridi: “Babar needs to improve a lot as a captain”
Image taken by: Bimal Mirwani
Iconic Pakistan big-hitter Shahid Afridi conceded that Babar Azam needs to make big improvements as captain.
His comments come after Pakistan have endured a string of dismal results, which has piled a lot of pressure on the 28-year-old.
Since there has been no indication of a change in leadership, Afridi noted that Azam must take it upon himself to get better.
“Babar needs to improve a lot as a captain,” he told Samaa TV as quoted by Cricwick.
Recently, Azam scored 130 runs in the five-match T20I series against New Zealand, which included a century, at an average of 43.33 and a strike-rate of 146.07. Despite his efforts, the series concluded as a 2-2 draw.
He is now featuring in the five-match ODI series, where he has made scores of 49 and 65 to give his side a 2-0 lead.
The third ODI between Pakistan and New Zealand will take place on Wednesday in Karachi.
Pakistan squad for ODI series against New Zealand:Â Babar Azam (captain), Shadab Khan (vice-captain), Abdullah Shafique, Fakhar Zaman, Haris Rauf, Haris Sohail, Ihsanullah, Imam-ul-Haq, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Rizwan, Mohammad Wasim Jnr, Naseem Shah, Salman Ali Agha, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Shan Masood and Usama Mir