PAK vs ENG: Pakistan captain Babar Azam responds to criticism about captaincy, form in Cricket World Cup

Amid criticism of his captaincy and performance in the Cricket World Cup, Pakistan skipper Babar Azam defended himself, emphasizing that it's easy to offer opinions on television and stating that the burden of leadership hasn't adversely impacted his batting.

Critics pointed to Pakistan's eight-wicket loss to Afghanistan and their inability to defend 271 runs against South Africa, suggesting that Babar's leadership had negatively affected his batting. Former captains, including Moin Khan and Shoaib Malik, openly expressed their concerns about Babar's captaincy skills on television.

Babar responded to these criticisms by saying, "It's very easy to give an opinion on TV. If someone wishes to offer advice, they are welcome to call me directly; my number is known to everyone."

Shoaib Malik had remarked that Babar was a brilliant batsman but not a strong leader, emphasizing that the captain bears the most responsibility. Moin Khan advised Babar to follow Virat Kohli's lead, who has excelled as a batsman after resigning from captaincy.

Babar remained firm in his position, stating that his form was unaffected by the criticism and denying that captaincy had put him under any added pressure. He emphasized his commitment to performing well in both batting and fielding.

Despite facing questions about potentially stepping down from the captaincy, Babar remained composed, indicating that decisions are made collectively by coaches and captains. He acknowledged that they haven't always succeeded but stressed that his focus is on the upcoming game.

"People are claiming I am under pressure but I am under no pressure. I have been doing this for a long time," he stated.

In the ongoing World Cup, Babar has scored 282 runs, with four half-centuries but no centuries. His inability to convert good starts into triple-digit scores has been a significant concern for Pakistan. Babar expressed his determination to improve and learn from his experiences in the tournament.

India vs Pakistan semifinal still possible in Cricket World Cup

(With PTI inputs)