Former Pakistan captain Rashid Latif expressed his opinion that Babar Azam has yet to develop into a captain capable of handling pressure. Latif believes that India holds the upper hand against Pakistan in the upcoming T20 World Cup clash due to a more balanced squad. The highly anticipated match, set to take place in New York, is a focal point of the ongoing tournament jointly hosted by the USA and the West Indies.
In an exclusive interview with PTI videos, Latif emphasized the pressure on Babar Azam, particularly in facing India. He highlighted the need for Azam to learn how to handle such situations, citing Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma as examples. While acknowledging Azam’s prowess as a batter, Latif stressed the importance of leadership skills in captaincy.
Latif also noted India’s superior spinners, especially Kuldeep Yadav, as a significant advantage for Rohit Sharma’s team. He suggested that India’s current form positions them as favorites for the upcoming match.
Comparing Pakistan’s current preparedness to previous strong performances in 2021 and 2022, Latif expressed concerns about the team’s readiness. He attributed this decline to changes in leadership, selection committees, and player composition since the last ODI World Cup.
Additionally, Latif criticized Pakistan’s bowling, particularly the pacers, citing poor fitness as a major issue. He questioned the selection of bowlers with similar roles in the team, contrasting it with India’s well-balanced bowling combination.
Latif raised questions about the timing of Gary Kirsten’s appointment as Pakistan coach as he joined the Pakistan Team after IPL 2024 ended, suggesting that more time was needed for him to understand and work with the team effectively.
Speaking about Virat Kohli, Latif acknowledged his popularity in Pakistan and praised his cricketing prowess. He also discussed Babar Azam’s potential for growth but emphasized the need for a stronger supporting team.
Overall, Latif’s analysis highlighted the challenges and opportunities facing both Pakistan and India in the upcoming T20 World Cup clash.
