[VIDEO] Babar Azam’s T20I Selection being questioned by Mohammad Amir and Imad Wasim

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It seems that Babar Azam’s position in the T20I team is under the scanner in the court of public opinion; and the knives are now out for the former captain.

What do you say about it?

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View attachment gPq3f4kRACQANAPf.mp4

Mohammad Amir and Imad Wasim during a TV show:

Mohammad Amir:

“Babar Azam is not fit for selection in T20”

Imad Wasim:

“It is a tough call but, Yes, Babar doesn’t deserve a spot in T20 format”
 
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I slightly disagree. Babar definitely makes the squad if not the playing 11.
 
The irony is that some players who do not want to play domestic cricket to get a chance for selection in the team are pointing out a guy who has 3 t20 international hundred to his name and saying that he is not fit for selection.LOL
 
He easily makes the team, but we should probably copy other team’s setup and switch to two extremely explosive openers. We also can’t have too many players who play in the same way that Babar does in the team.

1) Saim
2) Fakhar
3) Babar

May be the best choice.

Also, Imad Wasim sitting on these shows talking in this way about current players does nothing to help him get selected. He’s going to forever be stuck playing T10 cricket.
 
Babar definitely deserves to be in T20 side but shouldn't be the captain.

Babar should bat at #3 in T20 format.
 
The irony is that some players who do not want to play domestic cricket to get a chance for selection in the team are pointing out a guy who has 3 t20 international hundred to his name and saying that he is not fit for selection.LOL
There’s a reason why most sportsmen wait until after their careers are over to have these kind of television roles…
 
Babar should be given the role Virat right now plays. The accumulator while others bang the ball around him.

But for that, Babar fans need to accept that peak Babar might only be comparable to a fading Virat and nothing more. Once they accept that, they will accept this, and you will not end up destroying the brightest all-format spark Pakistan has produced for a long while.
 
To be completely honest, I’d rather have Babar at 4 and Fakhar at 3 with another explosive opener to pair with Saim. Fakhar starts slow a lot of the time and wastes some balls in the power play.

The current META in cricket seems to be to go absolutely crazy in the power play, score in the middle but keep wickets, and then smash another 100-120 in the last 10 overs.
 
Number 3 or number 4 is not the point here. The point is that amir and Imad want babar to be dropped from the t20 side let alone the number 3 or 4 spot.
 
Rizwan served as the Vice Captain of the test side for over two years, and now, suddenly, Shan has taken over. There seems to be no logic behind the decisions made by PCB. It appears that we may encounter numerous challenges within the team in the coming days.

Shan was also pushed for the Vice Captain position in the ODI series against NZ, seemingly backed by Sethi. It looks like he has considerable political support in his favor.
 
After captaincy we might see a different more attacking Babar. He shouldnt be dropped immediately as of now.
 
These two nobodies dont matter

Even Kapil Dev wanted Virat out of the t20 team before the 2022 t20 World Cup and then Virat played that once in a lifetime innings against us

You cannot drop Babar giving the intent example, the guy can only be dropped if he doesn't score runs. Which he will as he is a great player

However, I dont see him opening anymore under the new management that will be appointed
 
The irony is that some players who do not want to play domestic cricket to get a chance for selection in the team are pointing out a guy who has 3 t20 international hundred to his name and saying that he is not fit for selection.LOL
Please don't lend too much credence to the views of ex-players sitting on TV. They all seem to echo similar sentiments. Even if Babar were to become a TV commentator after his playing days, he would likely emphasize the importance of scoring runs for the team rather than just focusing on rankings. Their comments are often driven by their role as paid speakers seeking attention, and it's essential to keep that in mind.
 
Disgraceful stuff.

Babar Azam is an all format batsman. Be respectful otherwise you won’t be taken seriously.
 
Has there been a more dislikeable player than Imad Wasim over the last decade or so?

I don't even like Amir but atleast he has some achievements. But this michael yardy type of bowler talks like he is a superstar.

Keep going buddy because I'm pretty sure Afridi won't pick you in the team even if you are selected for the squad. Be ready to bring the drinks out for the players :babar
 
Having current players on shows criticizing other current players is the best display of jahaliyat and dehatiness I’ve ever seen. Truly remarkable.

No other cricketing nation is this unprofessional, hateful and rude to their own.

Yes he probably has a point, but he is not in the position to publicly criticize players he will probably feature alongside.

We are in shambles as a cricket nation. Everyone wants their time in the spotlight, there’s no unity whatsoever to get us off the ground.

If you think he isn’t right for a spot, contact the selectors or whatever privately.

And some want this hate monger and pot stirrer as captain, LOL.
 
Pakistan fan's or ex players don't deserve Babar Azam ,they are satisfied with mediocrity.
Come on man Babar is on the way to become Pakistani best ever batsman ,he deserved all the credit .
 
Don't think these two should be taken seriously as they don't get along with Babar. Babar has to.open in T20Is and score at 130 SR which he's capable of. Considering the poor spin options, Imam Wasim should be in the team too.
 
Shaheen and Hafeez will never drop Babar Azam at all. Keep on dreaming

I
 
Shaheen and Hafeez will never drop Babar Azam at all.
They would be quite dumb to drop the only Pakistani batter to have multiple centuries in this format of the game.

People eagerly looking for Fakhar and Sharjeel need to realize that we will be 0/2 in the first over quite regularly.
 
Babar should be given two more series. He has to change his approach in the powerplay, attack a lot more. I think he is very much capable, needs more intent.

If he doesn't change then he needs to be dropped. Saim and Babar to open
 
Babar is a liability when it comes to T20 cricket. He has zero power game, eats up dot balls and puts pressure on the non striker

Moving forward we need to create a decent pool of openers who will play the brand of cricket we require. This pool must include Sharjeel, Saim, Omair, Fakhar and maybe even gamble with Azam Khan as an opener.
 
Imad is a central contract player, not a retired cricketer like Amir. How can he comment on any cricketer that should be or not part of Pakistan team
Imam is the same…he had views about how the team doesnt have time to change before the World Cup.
 
Imad is a central contract player, not a retired cricketer like Amir. How can he comment on any cricketer that should be or not part of Pakistan team
Also, I guess there wouldn’t be an issue if Imad said “yes I think he should be in the team”?

It’s an opinion…he’s allowed to have one.
 
Imad is a central contract player, not a retired cricketer like Amir. How can he comment on any cricketer that should be or not part of Pakistan team
Rizwan was a CC player when he also said on national TV that he thinks Khushdil Shah is the best all rounder in Pakistan.

No one batted an eyelid then did they?
 
Imam is the same…he had views about how the team doesnt have time to change before the World Cup.
He was dropped next two games in that series, given a lesson. According to reports, he was harshly told off by PCB not to repeat that again. Similar treatment needs to be given to Imad Wasim.
 
He was dropped next two games in that series, given a lesson. According to reports, he was harshly told off by PCB not to repeat that again. Similar treatment needs to be given to Imad Wasim.
Go ahead. Keep on punishing the guys who have paid prices for honesty.

Imad was scammed off a World Cup spot. Drop him for a series or two, do whatever you want to him. Make an example out of him. Carry on
 
I wouldn't have him as the opener but he 100% deserves a spot at #3.

You can't just stuff the team with brainless sloggers and he's the best accumulator in Pakistan right now.
 
Go ahead. Keep on punishing the guys who have paid prices for honesty.

Imad was scammed off a World Cup spot. Drop him for a series or two, do whatever you want to him. Make an example out of him. Carry on
I have never seen other cricketers doing this from another country or Pakistan. Give me an example?

Central contract cricketer bad mouthing other current cricketers from the same national team is not acceptable at all.
 
I have never seen other cricketers doing this from another country or Pakistan. Give me an example?

Central contract cricketer bad mouthing other current cricketers from the same national team is not acceptable at all.
How is he badmouthing him though? He isn’t mocking or insulting him.

If he praises him… it’s all good

If he expresses an opinion on him not being suitable…then there is an issue?

Babar was asked by the Technical committee to take Imad over Nawaz…Babar expressed his opinion that he doesn’t feel Imad is an ODI cricketer and is more suited to T20…yet Babar’s entire squad barring a few consisted of T20 specialists.

Imad is well within his rights to express the same regarding him.
 
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There is no better bat in the world when facing bowlers from Zim, Banglas, NL, Nepal and B,C,D top tier teams.

Bob is a must have bat in starting 11 of any format. :inti
 
These guys simply stated their opinions on the shortest way possible without disrespecting Babar. The anchor asked them & they replied. They didn't start the topic, neither did they try to mock or belittle Babar. As long as one is respectful everyone is entitled to their opinion. It's not like they mentioned something out of the blue. Many people share the same opinion here. Based on last year's back to back multinational tournaments (including the one in Nz) he definitely doesn't deserve an automatic meal ticket. He played around 18 matches in these tournaments & batted like a pure tailender. The average was embarrassing, the strike rate was miserable, the intent was nonexistent.
 
I don't agree that Babar should be thrown out of the T20 side but he needs to be given a stern warning to put the team's needs ahead of his own. For too long he's hogged that opening spot and given Pakistan the unique distinction of being the only major T20I team to open with two anchors.

While it's a typically unedifying Pakistani spectacle to see current players slag each other off in TV studios - Babar's brought this on himself with his clear favouritism in selections. He surrounded himself with his mates and yesmen while marginalising players like these two who are more vocal and willing to call him out on his nonsense decisions.

For example, Shadab got a ridiculously long run in ODIs and ended up producing numbers in the World Cup even a part-timer would be ashamed of. Not an Imad fan but who wouldn't be disgruntled having been overlooked for a specialist fielder.

Hasan Ali waltzed back in despite averaging 76 in ODIs and 43 in Pakistan Cup last year. I guess if you're a member of roti gang then performance is optional.

The Malinga china copy Zaman Khan was selected on basis of T20 performances and scant List A cricket. A fit and firing Amir is better than both especially in a tournament.

Hopefully Babar losing the captaincy and another mediocre tournament with the bat will bring him down to earth.
 
This is pathetic. Throwing stones at a person when he is down is a norm for Pakistani ex-cricketers. I am not talking about the T20 selection debate here.
One can criticize but can't stoop low with personal grudges. This is quite senseless from Imad, who is still actively playing cricket. Everyone is competing to dig at one player rather than supporting during tough times.

Very rarely do former Indian cricketers make harsh comments. Recently, Venkatesh Prasad went a bit overboard and criticized KL Rahul heavily. Though he went overboard, Prasad had a valid point.
 
Very toxic individuals these two. I hope they stay away from side
This is why they’re out of the side.

Two extremely talented cricketers who should have had glittering careers, but ruined it for themselves with toxicity and entitlement.
 
If I was babar azam I would retire from intl cricket , pakistan cricket is in the doldrums.

He can play out his remaining years in domestic t20 leagues

In summer he should also play County cricket in England if pathetic club cricketers like shan and saud can play County cricket any team would snap up a high class batsmen In babar.

County cricket + t20 leagues there's enough there to earn a comfortable wage.
 
Babar doesn’t merit a spot in the T20 team because he doesn’t select us.

Honestly, these two losers shouldn’t be given any air time.
 
I cannot imagine Shaheen dropping him.

It will be more of the same.
 
One can never take what Amir and Imad say about Babar seriously. Both always look and sound bitter about them. When they criticize him it gives bitterness. When they praise him it gives forceful praise to show the public that they don't reaalllyyy hate the guy.

Pakistan as a nation is really poor in this regard. Their mentality and regard for players will be tainted due to envy or past incidents. There are very few genuine neutral ex-player analysts who speak their truth without bias
 
Amir is such a crap person that i got the idea from his after match mixing interview with mike atherton in which he was constantly playing underage card and saying that he did the mistake but constantly thinking that he should not have done it.
 
I cannot imagine Shaheen dropping him.

It will be more of the same.
I was just thinking the same about the opener spot. Babar won't be dropped by any captain because 95% of people know that dropping him from the team in any format is stupid. But he shouldn't be the opener and Shaheen would feel like he doesn't have the audacity to drop Babar from his preferred opening spot. Shaheen is "Babar's bowler" after all. The respect he has for Babar is massive and I hope he doesn't let that or any sort of fear for Babar take away from making the best decisions for the team.
 
M.Haris and Fakhar should be given a chance to open with Babar at 3.

It won't happen.
 
Why is Imad Wasim questioning such decisions? Babar is here to stay, isn’t Imad interested in being back?
 
I cannot imagine Shaheen dropping him.

It will be more of the same.

Shaheen has to be objective. If the likes of Babar and Rizwan are not batting at a strike rate of 150 plus in T-20 and 120 plus in ODI cricket then he has to pull them up. Plus he has to rope in Sharjeel and Fakhar as our limited overs openers.
 
I cannot imagine Shaheen dropping him.

It will be more of the same.
Do you agree with Imad/Aamir's statement or do you agree with the cult that Babar is "undroppable" from t20i's irrespective of his form?
 
Babar has been poor in ICC tournaments but his overall is not that bad to drop him from the side. He has given up his captaincy and now he should focus more on his batting and approach.
 
Though it becomes a kind of 'whataboutary', but what was actually Imad Wasim's career highpoint in Int'l cricket?
 
Shaheen has to be objective. If the likes of Babar and Rizwan are not batting at a strike rate of 150 plus in T-20 and 120 plus in ODI cricket then he has to pull them up. Plus he has to rope in Sharjeel and Fakhar as our limited overs openers.
Sharjeel will never play for Pakistan again.

Pakistan have one of the least competent boards in the world.

But even they are not that stupid
 
Considering all the batsmen played for Pak in recent years, I don't think Babar can be dropped from the team.

But the problem is how come you fit two accumulators (Babar and Riz) in top 6 in a T20 side.

Probably one has to play out of comfort zone.
May be one of Babar/Riz opens with an attacking batsman like Fakhar and other plays a floater role. Come at no 3 in case of early wicket else move down the order if only 7-8 over remaining. So a finisher can go for the kill.
 
Why are Pak players always so bitter and jealous? Sure we have a few like Gambhir, Yuvraj, Harbhajan but in Pakistan's case it seems like the non-bitter ones are a minority.
 
Why are Pak players always so bitter and jealous? Sure we have a few like Gambhir, Yuvraj, Harbhajan but in Pakistan's case it seems like the non-bitter ones are a minority.

Let's be honest. Even the likes of Gambhir, Yuvraj, Harbhajan have taken pot shots at Dhoni and BCCI for the way they were discarded and not given enough support in the final years of their careers. Bitterness and Bickering is a part of the subcontinent culture.
 
Considering all the batsmen played for Pak in recent years, I don't think Babar can be dropped from the team.

But the problem is how come you fit two accumulators (Babar and Riz) in top 6 in a T20 side.

Probably one has to play out of comfort zone.
May be one of Babar/Riz opens with an attacking batsman like Fakhar and other plays a floater role. Come at no 3 in case of early wicket else move down the order if only 7-8 over remaining. So a finisher can go for the kill.

The new Team Director, Chief Selector, Captain needs to have a stern conversation with the both of them i.e. you need to figure out a way how to hit a boundary or a six every over. If you cannot do that you will not play in this team. Eoin Morgan style.
 
If he can't open its a crime to make him play any other position, doesn't have the natural ability to accelerate. We did see how he got out when trying to up the Runrate.
Also, if we going to play some hack I rather have King babar to score us a mediocre 150-160.
 
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If he can't open its a crime to make him play any other position, doesn't have the natural ability to accelerate. We did see how he got out when trying to up the Runrate.
Also, if we going to play some hack I rather have Kingbubzi to score us a mediocre 150-160.
This

He has to change his game in the powerplay if he wants to continue playing for Pakistan in this format. The best player in Pakistan when it comes to playing fast bowling. His obsession with ranking needs to stop
 
Babar should be given the role Virat right now plays. The accumulator while others bang the ball around him.

But for that, Babar fans need to accept that peak Babar might only be comparable to a fading Virat and nothing more. Once they accept that, they will accept this, and you will not end up destroying the brightest all-format spark Pakistan has produced for a long while.
Stop comparing him to Kohli, seriously how can you even think of that?
Kohli is a different beast, he bats as per situation and demand. He has more gears. Babar has only 1, 2 , 3 and if its against Holland or NZ C teams he can at times go into 4th gear max.
 
Babar Azam is the greatest player produced by Pakistan since Wasim Akram and Wasim debuted back in 84, any Pakistan team sheet in near future Babar will be the 1st name on it, that's a fact.

Who are Amir and Imad to question his place one a convict and other an insensitive moaner
 
Babar is effectively scoring runs in T20s.

His batting position may be a concern but his inclusion as a player is not.
 
We can read into the intentions of Amir and Imad. I personally don't think they are saying things for the reasons they claim they are.

But as a general point. No player is above questioning. In the modern world where everyone has an opinion and that opinion is publicised then someone somewhere will express a negative opinion. It's part of life. It's is upto the player that is being questioned to indirectly shut the questioner up by scoring runs or taking wickets.
 
Next world T20 pitches will suit Babar. Sluggish pitches in WI. For low scores his game will suit.
 
These two nobodies dont matter

Even Kapil Dev wanted Virat out of the t20 team before the 2022 t20 World Cup and then Virat played that once in a lifetime innings against us

You cannot drop Babar giving the intent example, the guy can only be dropped if he doesn't score runs. Which he will as he is a great player

However, I dont see him opening anymore under the new management that will be appointed

That is because Virat is Virat even in T20s; 2016 T20 WC QF vs Aus, 2016 T20 WC Vs Pak, 2014 T20 WC vs Pak, on and on.

Babar other than 152-0 is a not a great T20 Player, comes nowhere close to Virat in any format and that includes T20.
 
I would just push him down to 3, doesn't make sense to drop him completely.

Saim
Fakhar
Babar
Rizwan
Haris
Ifti
Imad
Jamal/Faheem
Wasim jr
Shaheen
Naseem if fit/Ihsanullah

Imad still may get picked for t20 even after all these statements because our other spin all rounders are woeful
 
Pakistan fan's or ex players don't deserve Babar Azam ,they are satisfied with mediocrity.
Come on man Babar is on the way to become Pakistani best ever batsman ,he deserved all the credit .
They are jealous, that's it !
 
This should feel like a left handed slap leaving imprints of finger on the right cheek for these clowns.

Before the match Abdul Razzaq predicted Australian win while the 2 stooges Amir and Imad blatantly predicted India to win
 
During an interaction with local media, Mohammad Amir talks about Babar Azam:

"I don't have any personal enmity with Babar. We played cricket together and have a good relationship. Regarding the last innings, the one in which he scored a century, and the last over he played – the shots he executed. I have always said that he should come out of his comfort zone, and the shots he has developed, I think that was a very, very good sign for Pakistan. I always maintain my opinion, what I feel is right for the Pakistan team. I don't have any personal differences with anyone. As a cricketer, I have my own opinion. What I understand, in terms of cricketing mindset, I express that opinion, and I hope the way he played in the last innings, if he continues to play like that for Pakistan, it will be good for the Pakistan team."
 
During an interaction with local media, Mohammad Amir talks about Babar Azam:

"I don't have any personal enmity with Babar. We played cricket together and have a good relationship. Regarding the last innings, the one in which he scored a century, and the last over he played – the shots he executed. I have always said that he should come out of his comfort zone, and the shots he has developed, I think that was a very, very good sign for Pakistan. I always maintain my opinion, what I feel is right for the Pakistan team. I don't have any personal differences with anyone. As a cricketer, I have my own opinion. What I understand, in terms of cricketing mindset, I express that opinion, and I hope the way he played in the last innings, if he continues to play like that for Pakistan, it will be good for the Pakistan team."
But I don't know why his so called personal opinions always go against Pakistani players. I mostly see him praising Indian players but I don't know what sort of rift he has with his own people. He always speaks negatively against them.
 
During an interaction with local media, Mohammad Amir talks about Babar Azam:

"I don't have any personal enmity with Babar. We played cricket together and have a good relationship. Regarding the last innings, the one in which he scored a century, and the last over he played – the shots he executed. I have always said that he should come out of his comfort zone, and the shots he has developed, I think that was a very, very good sign for Pakistan. I always maintain my opinion, what I feel is right for the Pakistan team. I don't have any personal differences with anyone. As a cricketer, I have my own opinion. What I understand, in terms of cricketing mindset, I express that opinion, and I hope the way he played in the last innings, if he continues to play like that for Pakistan, it will be good for the Pakistan team."
Anyone can see this is just as big a lie as he told Scotland Yard during his 2010 investigation. Amir hates Babar, doesn't rate babar. The BTS video after 2022 wt20 semi final Pak vs NZ proves that.
 
Babar is not without his faults, but he will go down as a much better cricketer than both Amir and Imad combined with a far bigger legacy.

The way those two have constantly targeted Babar and taunted him while handing backhanded compliments says a lot about their character and also exposes their jealously and bitterness.

Babar in response never said anything about them because he doesn’t need to. He is secure in who he is, what he has done for Pakistan cricket and where he will stand in Pakistan cricket history after he hangs his boots.

His fans can be irrational and cult-like who keep comparing him to Kohli even though he isn’t and never will be in his league but Babar is a great player in his own right and doesn’t deserve to be compared to others.

Nevertheless, Imad and Amir will both disappear from Pakistan cricket circle soon while Babar will continue to shine. They can say what they want about him, but they will never leave a bigger legacy than Babar and this fact seems to hurt them quite a bit.

It should probably hurt Amir more than Imad because unlike the latter, Amir had the talent and the skill to have a better career than Babar and leave a bigger name but he destroyed his own career because of his greed for money.
 
I would just push him down to 3, doesn't make sense to drop him completely.

Saim
Fakhar
Babar
Rizwan
Haris
Ifti
Imad
Jamal/Faheem
Wasim jr
Shaheen
Naseem if fit/Ihsanullah

Imad still may get picked for t20 even after all these statements because our other spin all rounders are woeful
I would consider young left arm wrist spinner Faisal Iqbal instead of Imad
 
Anyone can see this is just as big a lie as he told Scotland Yard during his 2010 investigation. Amir hates Babar, doesn't rate babar. The BTS video after 2022 wt20 semi final Pak vs NZ proves that.
Agreed. Amir’s words mean nothing - his actions have done all the talking for him.
 
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