Pakistan's disappointing performance in the ongoing T20 World Cup has prompted severe criticism, with former Pakistan cricketer Imran Nazir branding Babar Azam and his teammates as "cowards" for their lacklustre showing.
The team's campaign got off to a rocky start with a shocking defeat against the USA, followed by another loss to arch-rivals India in a low-scoring encounter. Imran Nazir minced no words, slamming the team for making excuses after their defeats.
Nazir emphasised the importance of fearlessness in cricket and criticised the team for failing to live up to that standard. He highlighted the absence of a reliable middle-order batsman who can rotate the strike effectively, pointing out the team's inability to capitalise on opportunities.
Echoing Nazir's sentiments, Pakistan batter Ahmed Shehzad raised concerns about Babar Azam's performance in major competitions. Shehzad accused the team of performing well against lower-tier teams but faltering when faced with tougher challenges. He also questioned Babar's statistics in big matches, highlighting his relatively low average and strike rate.
As Pakistan prepares to face Ireland in their final Group A match, the team faces mounting pressure to salvage their campaign and silence their critics.