Misbah-ul-Haq thinks Babar Azam targeted owing rumours

• Haq believes Babar Azam has been singled out because of rumours.
• Comparing Azam to great Indian batsman Virat Kohli is unfair, says Misbah.
• Azam is not completely accountable for Pakistan’s Test cricket performance.

Misbah-ul-Haq, a former cricketer for Pakistan, thinks Babar Azam has been singled out because of rumours that the national team’s captain may be replaced.

Misbah, who previously held the positions of head coach and top selector for Pakistan, expressed disappointment with the rumours surrounding Azam’s captaincy.

“The manner in which Babar Azam has been targeted is unacceptable. Changes should be made only after a comprehensive assessment of the situation, regardless of who is the captain. Decisions should not be made solely to exert pressure on others,” Misbah told reporters in Lahore on Sunday.

The 48-year-old further remarked that comparing Azam to great Indian batsman Virat Kohli is unfair.

“Comparing Virat Kohli to Babar Azam is unjust. Kohli has extensive international experience, whilst Azam has only recently begun his career. We should compare them after they have each played the same amount of cricket. At the moment, Kohli’s accomplishments are unrivalled,” he stated.

Misbah, on the other hand, praised Azam’s consistency with the bat over the years.

“Babar is a gentleman. His career performance has been outstanding, and he is regarded as one of Pakistan’s greatest batters. Because of his quality, he is consistently ranked among the top five players in the world,” he noted.

He also discussed the current decline in Pakistan’s performance in the longest format of the game.

In a recent three-match Test series against England at home, Pakistan was thoroughly defeated. Following the England catastrophe, they also drew two Tests with New Zealand.

“While Pakistan has done well in white-ball cricket, the same cannot be said about Test cricket,” he remarked. “Babar Azam is not completely accountable for Pakistan’s Test cricket performance. In Test matches, there is a lack of strategy and effective team selection.”

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