“You Kept Your Friends in the Team”: Ahmed Shahzad Fumes at Babar Azam Over ‘Legal Action’ Threat by the Pakistan Captain

Ahmed Shahzad has intensified his critique of Babar Azam and the Pakistan cricket team following their early exit from the T20 World Cup 2024. Speaking on a Pakistani TV channel, Shahzad sharply rebuked Babar, questioning his leadership and decision-making over recent years, especially in light of Pakistan’s repeated failures in global tournaments.

“Former players that he (Babar) is talking about, they should also file a case on him asking when you had a team for 5 years, where have you brought the team, to the 7th spot,” Shahzad said.

Unfazed by the ‘legal threat’, Shahzad continued, saying, “The domestic cricketers whom you didn’t select for the team, you went ahead with one group, kept on saying that this group will win you matches, but that didn’t happen, and those domestic cricketers who didn’t get a chance in the past 5 years, they should also file a case and ask questions. They should also ask Babar how you kept adjusting your friends in the team, who you turn into bowlers when they can’t bat, turn into batsmen when they can’t bowl, and when they do nothing, you adjust them by making them fielders.”

Shahzad also criticized Babar’s consideration of legal action against former players and YouTubers who criticized the team. He argued that criticism is an inherent part of sports, citing examples like Messi and Ronaldo who face similar scrutiny but handle it professionally.

“Even great players like Messi and Ronaldo, who have a huge fan following, are criticized. Even the effigies of Messi were burnt recently, shoes were hurled at their photos. But they are sportsmen, they take all this in their stride. You should also take the criticism positively, but instead you are saying you will file defamation cases against former cricketers,” Shahzad asserted.

Regarding the PCB’s stance on potential legal actions, Shahzad expressed doubt and stressed the need for accountability in cricket.

“After losing 3 World Cups, 2 Asia Cups, you (Babar) were made captain again after 2 months, you should have asked the question how you were made the captain? Is it only you whose sentiments are getting hurt, not of the fans? We always tell the public the truth, we don’t body shame anyone, we don’t even take wrong names, we talk only about cricket, Pakistan cricket. What have you done? You always try to find an escape route.”

“We were also criticized, so much that we didn’t get the third match after two bad matches. We didn’t say anything to anyone. You get paid to do well. Even the cameraman here has a job to do, even if he doesn’t do it properly, he is also answerable,” Shahzad concluded.