Babar Azam’s recent resignation as the white-ball captain of the Pakistan cricket team has sparked a wave of reactions, notably from former players. Salman Butt, a former captain himself, has publicly supported Babar, defending him against critical comments made by ex-pacer Sikander Bakht.
Babar Azam’s Decision to Step Down
On October 1, 2024, Babar Azam announced his resignation from the white-ball captaincy following Pakistan’s disappointing performance at the 2024 T20 World Cup. The team faced an early exit after losing to both the United States and India, leading to widespread criticism of Babar’s leadership.Â
In his resignation statement, Babar expressed a desire to focus on his batting and contribute more effectively to the team’s success. He stated, “It’s been an honor to lead this team, but it’s time for me to step down and focus on my playing role.”
Criticism from Sikander Bakht
In the aftermath of Babar’s announcement, Sikander Bakht criticized him sharply. He suggested that Babar should have resigned immediately after Pakistan’s failure to progress in the World Cup, implying that he only felt shame after the fact. Bakht remarked, “Ab sharam ayi! (You finally felt ashamed!) As soon as our World Cup was over on 16th June because we had not qualified further, he should have resigned at the same time. The whole nation was saying that he should have resigned. But he was stubborn. Because his style was like this, he was king. His performance was not good, neither was theirs.”
Bakht’s comments have not gone unnoticed. Many fans and analysts believe that such harsh criticism is unwarranted for a player who has consistently been one of Pakistan’s top performers over recent years.
Salman Butt Defends Babar Azam
Responding to Bakht’s remarks, Salman Butt defended Babar during a recent television appearance. He emphasized that respect should be given where it is due and criticized Bakht for targeting a player who has excelled in his role.Â
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Butt stated, “Dekhiye respect wahi deta hain jiski aapni hoti hain. This is very very unfortunate. You’re criticizing the player who has been the best player for Pakistan in the last five years. No player was consistent before him and among the current crop of cricketers, also there hasn’t been any other with such consistency. You can like or dislike any person but you should consider the player’s stature while criticizing.”
Butt further elaborated on Babar’s contributions to Pakistan cricket, highlighting his consistency and performance during challenging times. He concluded his defense by saying, “I will not say much.”
Support from Other Former Players
Rashid Latif, another former Pakistani cricketer, also weighed in on the situation. He believes that stepping down was a wise decision for Babar, allowing him to relieve some pressure and focus on his batting.Â
Latif mentioned in a video shared on his X account: “He (Babar) understood late but rightly in the end. Mohammad Amir, Azam (Khan), and Imad Wasim have always kept you on your toes; they played the World Cup (T20) as they wanted to. Now they are gone. Now Babar’s time will come as the pressure of captaincy is off.”
The PCB is now tasked with appointing a new white-ball captain as they look ahead to future competitions. Names like Mohammad Rizwan are being considered as potential successors.
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