'The bond should not break' - Babar Azam delivers an inspirational speech in the dressing room after semi-final loss

During Pakistan’s journey in the Men’s T20 World Cup 2021, there were many positives. One of the key things which stood as far as this team is concerned is Babar Azam’s captaincy. More than his tactics on the pitch, it has been the ability to inspire his teammates which should be highlighted. 

After the heartbreaking loss to Australia in the second semi-final in Dubai on Thursday, Babar addressed his team in the dressing room and gave a speech to lift the dejected spirits of his players. During an interaction with his team in the dressing room, Babar acknowledged that he knows everyone is hurt after the loss, but it is time to stick beside their teammates. 

Everybody is feeling the pain: Babar Azam

He made a point that it is important that no one put the blame of the defeat on a single person and rather help each other to get through this pain. “Everybody is feeling the pain. Where we made mistakes and where we should have done better, everybody is realizing that through pain. Nobody will tell us this. We know. But we have to learn from this. We have become a unit and it must not be broken,” Babar told his teammates in the video shared by Pakistan Cricket’s official page. 

He further said that the team shouldn’t be broken after one defeat and it is important for them to get up and take the positives from this tournament. He also said that it is vital that they learn from their mistakes. “Nobody should point a finger towards the other, that somebody has done this, somebody has done that. We will learn from this and will not repeat our mistakes in the future. Am telling you, this bond must not break just for one defeat. This is the time to help each other,” Babar said. 

After the skipper was done expressing his thoughts, batting consultant Matthew Hayden said that everyone should be proud of their achievements. Pakistan was unbeaten in the group stages, beating the likes of New Zealand, who eventually made it to the final, and India, who were favourites to win the title. “We put in every last bit of effort that we could. Left nothing on the field of play. And we should be all proud,” Hayden said.