'If the captain is a selfish player there's no chance' - Parthiv Patel lambasts Babar Azam after Pakistan's dismal T20 WC run
"The way cricket is going right now, we are talking about a strike rate of 150-160 and these guys [Pakistan players] are still in the 120s," Parthiv Patel said.
Parthiv Patel lashed out at Babar Azam after the experienced batter led Pakistan to a shambolic first-round exit in the recently concluded T20 World Cup 2024. The Men in Green suffered defeats to the USA and arch-rivals India before picking up inconsequential wins against Canada and Ireland to end a disappointing campaign.
Since their abrupt exit, the 2009 champions have faced severe criticism and so has skipper Babar, who took over the reins from Shaheen Afridi only a few months before the marquee event after relinquishing the position last year.
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Former India wicketkeeper Parthiv called Babar "selfish", blaming him for putting his personal interests above the team's well-being.
"Captain wanted to open, so he (Zaman) had to come down if the captain is a selfish player there's no chance. There is nothing new in it. Wasim Akram, Waqar Younis, everyone says that," Parthiv said during a talk show, a video clip from which went viral on social media.
In January, Pakistan played a series against New Zealand where the flamboyant Saim Ayub opened the innings alongside Mohammad Rizwan. However, at the World Cup, Ayub was kept on the bench for the first couple of games as Babar returned back to his favourite opening position.
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The cricketer-turned-expert went on to mention that the Pakistan team do not have ideal T20 players, who can play at strike rates of 150-160.
"They don't have players; they don't have T20 kind of players. The way cricket is going right now, we are talking about a strike rate of 150-160 and these guys are still in the 120s. They are far behind than any other international side," reckoned Parthiv.
Pakistan will return to action in November as they travel to Australia to face the reigning 50-over World Cup champions in three ODIs and as many T20Is. The three ODIs will be played in Melbourne, Adelaide, and Perth on November 4, 8, and 10, respectively. Meanwhile, the T20Is are scheduled to be played in Brisbane, Sydney, and Hobart on November 14, 16, and 18, respectively.
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