Prolific all-rounder Imad Wasim again made news by sharing what he termed afact about Pakistan’s all-format skipper Babar Azam following the side’sloss to Australia in the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 at Bangalore’s M.Chinnaswamy Stadium on Friday.
It is pertinent to mention that Pakistan slipped to fifth position based onnet run rate after its 62-run loss against Australia.Pakistan won the tossand put Australia into bat under batting-friendly conditions. The decisioncame back to haunt him as openers David Warner and Mitchell Marsh went allguns blazing to put on a record 259-run stand.
They bested former cricketers Shane Watson and Brad Haddin’s 183-run standagainst Canada in the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011.David Warner, who scoredhis fourth consecutive century against Pakistan, top-scored with 163 off124 balls with 14 boundaries and nine sixes to his name. Mitchell Marsh, onthe other hand, struck 10 fours and nine maximums on his way to 108-ball121.
Thanks to their blistering batting display and poor fielding by Pakistan,the side finished at 367-9 in their 50 overs.
In response, Pakistan’s Abdullah Shafique (64) and Imam-ul-Haq (70) laidthe platform for the chase with a 134-run opening partnership but the restof the top order failed to build on promising starts as they were bundledout for 305.
Babar Azam, in the post-match presentation, blamed the side’s fielding woesfor the defeat. He admitted that dropping David Warner twice and dismalbowling performance were mistakes on their behalf.
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Imad Wasim shared his views on Pakistan captain Babar Azam following thematch on a private channel’s talk show. He lambasted the star batter fornot giving a match-winning performance.
The left-arm all-rounder believes Babar Azam has not won a game forPakistan since its win over New Zealand in the ICC Cricket World 2019 inEngland. It is pertinent to mention that he scored a scintillating unbeatencentury to guide the side to a six-wicket win at Birmingham’s EdgbastonCricket Ground.
**”I think the last time Babar [Azam] performed in a big match was againstNew Zealand in 2019 WC,” he said. “But after that, he is yet to win a bigmatch for Pakistan. This is not a criticism but a fact.”**
It is pertinent to mention that Babar Azam has misfired in the 50-overworld championships so far. The Pakistan skipper has scored just 80 runsfrom four matches at an average of 20.75 and a strike rate of 79.05.