Babar Azam, Pakistan’s star batter and captain, has recently faced a storm of criticism over his leadership during the T20 World Cup 2024. Despite his prowess with the bat, Azam’s captaincy has come under scrutiny after Pakistan’s disappointing performance in the tournament, leading to a wave of disapproval from former cricketers and fans alike.

Performance in T20 World Cup 2024

Under Azam’s leadership, Pakistan suffered critical defeats against strong teams like New Zealand and England. These losses significantly impacted their standing in the group stage, ultimately leading to their early elimination from the tournament. The team’s performance raised questions about Azam’s strategic decisions and his ability to inspire the squad.

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Opening Match Against the USA

Pakistan’s campaign got off to a rocky start with a shocking defeat to the United States of America in their opening match.

Critical Match Against India

One of the most anticipated matches of the tournament was Pakistan’s clash with arch-rival India. Unfortunately for Pakistan, the match ended in a defeat, further jeopardizing their chances of advancing.

Criticism from former cricketers

Following Pakistan’s exit from the World Cup, several former cricketers, including Ahmed Shehzad, Shoaib Malik, and Mohd Hafeez, openly criticized Azam’s leadership. They accused him of favoritism, alleging that he included friends in the team who were not performing up to the mark. These comments added fuel to the already blazing fire of discontent among fans and analysts.

PCB’s response to allegations

In response to the growing criticism, the PCB has begun gathering evidence related to the statements made by journalists and former cricketers. This evidence will be handed over to the legal department to address the allegations head-on. The PCB’s proactive stance underscores their commitment to protecting the integrity of the team and its players.

“We are fully aware of these negative comments. Criticism within the bounds of the game is acceptable and there is no objection to it. However, baseless allegations like match-fixing cannot be tolerated under any circumstances,” the PCB source was quoted as saying by First Post in the report.

Legal action by PCB

The PCB has instructed its legal department to issue notices to individuals making defamatory statements, demanding evidence to support their claims. If the accusers fail to provide proof, the PCB intends to seek compensation for defamation.

“PCB has no doubts, so why should we conduct an inquiry? Those who made the allegations should provide proof. We have instructed our legal department to issue notices to such individuals and demand evidence. If not provided, we will seek compensation for defamation. A new law in Punjab ensures that a decision will come within six months,” the source added.