Former Pakistan great spinner Mushtaq Ahmad reckons Babar Azam would leave the field whenever his side is struggling with the ball.
Despite two wins in two games to start their World Cup 2023 campaign, Babar Azam has been under pressure and scrutiny from their own fans and media. The most important game – in the context of history and fan wars, though it will still carry only two points – for Babar Azam is on Saturday against India in Ahmedabad.
India defeated Pakistan by over 200 runs in their Asia Cup 2023 meeting last month in Colombo. Pakistan are 0-7 down in the ODI World Cup against India. All of that revenge can be taken today if PAK beats India in front of over 130,000 fans at the Narendra Modi Stadium.
But what will Babar Azam do if his team struggles during their bowling as they did in the Asia Cup?
The legendary Pakistani spinner Mushtaq Ahmad reckons Babar Azam must leave the field and consult the coaches and staff about the tactics if his bowlers find themselves struggling against India.
“In my opinion, Babar Azam will go off the field whenever Pakistan will be in a difficult position in the coming matches as well. Babar will take a break and speak to the coaching staff since sending messages from the dressing room undermines a captain. The captain coming off the field is a better thing to do,” Mushtaq Ahmad was quoted as saying by CricketAddictor.
Mushtaq, who has worked with England in the past, revealed that former England skipper Alastair Cook, too, used to take a couple of overs off from the field and talk with the coaches during the match on his next move to get his side back in the game.
“When I was working with the England team, we told Alastair Cook that whenever he is in a tight spot he should come off the field and talk to the management about how he feels and the game plan. The discussion with the coaching staff helped change the course of matches on many occasions, both in Test and ODI cricket, when Cook again went back on the field,” Mushtaq added.
A good batting surface is expected in Ahmedabad. India will also have the services of Shubman Gill back, who has a great record in Ahmedabad.
