World Cup 2023: Babar Azam hasn’t won a big match for Pakistan since 2019, says Imad Wasim on loss to Australia

Veteran all-rounder Imad Wasim lashed out at Pakistan skipper Babar Azam for not being able to step up in big stages for the national team. Wasim reckoned that Babar hasn’t played a match-winning knock in big matches since scoring a hundred against Kane Williamson’s New Zealand in the 2019 World Cup match at the Edgbaston in Birmingham.

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Imad put forth his comments after Babar failed to perform against Australia in the World Cup 2023 match on Friday, October 20 at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bangalore. Babar scored 18 runs off 14 balls with three fours before Adam Zampa accounted for his wicket. Pakistan went on to lose the match by 62 runs.

“At the world stage there is pressure, but it is also the place where you prove your worth. I think the last time Babar performed in a big match was against New Zealand in the 2019 World Cup, when he scored a century. But after that, he is yet to win a big match for Pakistan. This is not criticism but a fact,” Wasim was quoted as saying to a local TV channel.

Babar has struggled in World Cup 2023, having notched 83 runs from four matches at an average of 20.75 and a strike-rate of 79.04. Apart from scoring a half-century against India in Ahmedabad, Babar has struggled to find his feet.

“Being the number one batter in ODIs, it is Babar’s responsibility to win matches but questions will be raised if he doesn’t do that. He needs to bat in accordance with the team’s requirements. He has the ability to dominate bowlers and this World Cup is the place to do that,” he added.

Pakistan will next be up against Hashmatullah Shahidi’s Afghanistan on October 23 at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai.