Ahmed Shehzad: “There is so much investment in Babar Azam. He is a very good player. But where is he? The country needs him”
Image taken by: Bimal Mirwani
Veteran Pakistan cricketer Ahmed Shehzad has blasted Babar Azam, questioning where is the return on investment.
He also pointed out that the country needs Azam to step up right now, but he has failed to deliver.
The 30-year-old was recently involved in the ODI tri-series against New Zealand and South Africa, and finished with 62 runs in three matches at an average of 20.66.
He followed that up with 87 runs in two games in the 2025 Champions Trophy, which included a top score of 64, at an average of 43.50.
“He was extremely under pressure. There is so much investment in Babar Azam. He is a very good player. But where is he? The country needs him. Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has invested a lot in Babar. He was given a free hand as a captain for four and five years,” Shehzad was quoted as saying by Cricket Pakistan.
Pakistan failed to make it out of the group stage in the Champions Trophy after losing to New Zealand and India.
Their final match against Bangladesh was washed out.
Next up for Pakistan will be a limited overs tour of New Zealand, where they will play five T20Is and three ODIs from March 16 to April 5.
Pakistan Squad for T20I Series against New Zealand: Hasan Nawaz, Omair Yousuf, Mohammad Haris, Abdul Samad, Salman Ali Agha (captain), Irfan Khan Niazi, Khushdil Shah, Shadab Khan, Abbas Afridi, Jahandad Khan, Mohammad Ali, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Haris Rauf, Sufiyan Muqeem, Abrar Ahmed, Usman Khan
Pakistan Squad for ODI Series against New Zealand: Mohammad Rizwan (captain), Salman Ali Agha, Abdullah Shafique, Abrar Ahmed, Akif Javed, Babar Azam, Faheem Ashraf, Imam-ul-Haq, Khushdil Shah, Mohammad Ali, Mohammad Wasim Jnr, Irfan Khan Niazi, Naseem Shah, Sufiyan Muqeem, Tayyab Tahir
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