Hayden Worried About Decision to Remove Babar Azam as Captain

Web Desk

17th Nov, 2023. 07:53 pm
Share
- Listen
- Font size
  - Small
  - Medium
  - Large
- Dark Mode
- Save
- Print

Articles

Ex-Aussie cricketer Hayden notes issues in Pakistan cricket structure, calls for high performance.
Hayden disappointed by Babar Azam’s captaincy resignation, praises his track record.
Hayden points to player absences and underperformance as key factors in Pakistan’s World Cup woes.

Former Australian cricketer Matthew Hayden expressed his dissatisfaction with the leadership setup in Pakistan cricket and raised concerns about the decision-making process surrounding Babar Azam’s resignation. Hayden emphasized that the challenges faced by Pakistan extend beyond individual leadership, highlighting structural problems within the country’s cricket setup.

“I have always sensed with Pakistan it’s never to do with the actual leadership of the group itself. It’s more just the overall game, having a structure that’s conducive to a high-performance culture, which is the most challenging element, I feel, for Pakistan cricket,” remarked Hayden.

Hayden criticized the decision to accept Babar Azam’s resignation as captain, suggesting that those responsible may have overlooked Babar’s outstanding performance as both a player and a captain. “Whoever was doing the numbers clearly wasn’t looking at them when it came to Babar’s performances as a non-captain and captain. He actually had far better numbers as a captain, averaging 50 plus more. So he was a natural leader, a good choice,” Hayden added, expressing disappointment and shock at the decision.

Hayden also pointed out the contributing factors to Pakistan’s below-par performance in the World Cup 2023, citing the absence of key players like Naseem Shah and an off-form Shaheen Afridi. He highlighted the failures of Shadab Khan and Mohammad Nawaz and the delayed arrival of Fakhar Zaman, stating, “Fakhar Zaman never arrived, but when he did, it was too late.”

In the aftermath of Babar Azam’s resignation, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) confirmed the appointment of Shan Masood as the Test captain and Shaheen Shah Afridi as the T20I captain. Shan Masood’s first assignment as captain will be a three-match Test series against Australia in Australia, starting from December 14. Shaheen Shah Afridi will lead the T20I team in a five-match series in New Zealand from January 12 to 21.

As Pakistan undergoes a leadership transition, Hayden’s comments shed light on broader concerns within the cricketing structure of the nation, raising questions about the decision-making processes and the need for a conducive high-performance culture.

Also Read

Southgate defends using Foden in wide position

Southgate has defended his decision to use Foden in a wide position....

To stay informed about current events, please like our Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/BOLUrduNews/.
Follow us on Twitter https://twitter.com/bolnewsurdu01 and stay updated with the latest news.
Subscribe to our YouTube channel https://bit.ly/3Tv8a3P to watch news from Pakistan and around the world

Hayden Worried About Decision to Remove Babar Azam as Captain

Web Desk

Articles