Former Pakistani captain Misbah-ul-Haq stated that Babar Azam needs to be better tactically as the Green Shirts prepare to host New Zealand in the second T20I at the Pindi Cricket Stadium on Saturday (April 20).
Babar, 29, was recently re-appointed as Pakistan’s white-ball captain as the Chairman Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Mohsin Naqvi, along with the selection committee, saw him as the perfect candidate to lead the team in the upcoming 2024 T20 World Cup.
There had been criticism on Babar’s captaincy in the past as he led Pakistan in five tournaments but the Green Shirts failed to win any of them. Many believed that the 29-year-old did not have enough experience to lead the side and Misbah thinks that he needs to strengthen his abilities as a captain.
"Experience always enhances the captaincy, and there is always room for improvement. Babar needs to be stronger tactically. He needs to improve tactically on the mistakes we noticed in the past," Misbah said in an interview with a local cricket website.
Misbah, who led Pakistan in the 2015 World Cup, praised Babar for rallying the team together but he stated that he should back the players for the right reasons.
"One thing Babar did well was rallying the team together at the start of the T20 World Cup, backing the players. Babar needs to try to back the players for the right reasons, not for the wrong ones. This is something Babar needs to learn. Secondly, he needs to be better tactically as a captain," the former skipper added.
The 49-year-old then added that Babar, as a captain, should lead the team with example in terms of fitness, performance and everything.
"Lastly, the most important thing that I always say is setting an example. In your performances, your fitness, in everything, you have to push others by setting an example that everyone should do this. When you do this, improvement will come," Misbah concluded.
Remember, Babar is leading Pakistan in the ongoing five-match T20I series against New Zealand. The first T20I was called off due to rain.
Pakistan vs New Zealand T20I series schedule
April 18 — 1st T20I, Rawalpindi
April 20 — 2nd T20I, Rawalpindi
April 21 — 3rd T20I, Rawalpindi
April 25 — 4th T20I, Lahore
April 27 — 5th T20I, Lahore
- Babar Azam