In a highly anticipated clash at the ICC Cricket World Cup, former India cricketer Gautam Gambhir did not hold back as he criticized Pakistan’s skipper, Babar Azam, for his cautious approach during their recent encounter with India.
The match took place on October 14 at the iconic Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, where Pakistan suffered a seven-wicket defeat.
Gambhir, known for his no-nonsense approach, didn’t mince words as he pointed out that Babar Azam seemed nervous during the crucial match.
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The former Indian cricketer also dissected Babar’s approach during his partnership with wicketkeeper-batter Mohammad Rizwan. It’s worth noting that Babar and Rizwan were Pakistan’s top scorers in the game, accumulating 50 and 49 runs, respectively.
Gambhir calls out Babar Azam’s timid approach
“Babar Azam has been extremely timid. Two batters cannot bat the same way in a partnership, one of them has to take chances. If you are playing for a fifty or your runs, you will get such results,” Gambhir emphasized during a discussion on Star Sports.
Furthermore, the 42-year-old cricketer-turned-commentator highlighted the change in Pakistan’s batting strategy, expressing his concern about the lack of aggression in the top-order batters.
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“Babar Azam has scored a lot of runs for himself, but it’s been Pakistan’s history that they have liked to bat aggressively at the start, whether it was Shahid Afridi, Imran Nazir, or Taufeeq Umar, and they consolidate in the middle. However, here in the top three, there isn’t a single batter who can take on the opposition attack,” Gambhir added.
Gambhir’s insights raised questions about Pakistan’s approach against India, a formidable opponent. He believed that the Men in Green should have adopted a more aggressive stance right from the beginning of their innings, especially when facing a top-quality Indian bowling attack.
“When you play against a top-quality attack, at times you discuss in the dressing room that you will play freely even if you get out for 150, you will not play timidly. If the top three get out early, then the No. 4 and No. 5 would consolidate,” he concluded.
Gambhir’s candid remarks have sparked discussions among cricket enthusiasts, with many analyzing Pakistan’s approach in the match. As the ICC Cricket World Cup continues, teams will be closely watched to see if they take Gambhir’s advice to heart and adjust their strategies accordingly.
