"Babar couldn’t score but that doesn't take away the class," says Darren Sammy

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Former West Indies captain Darren Sammy expressed his disappointment at Pakistan's two consecutive defeats against India and Zimbabwe in the T20 World Cup 2022; they should have won.

Sammy, who also serves as the head coach of Peshawar Zalmi of the Pakistan Super League (PSL), said in an exclusive interview with a local media channel that Babar Azam's lack of run-scoring did not take away his class.

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Sammy is now in Australia because he is a member of the ICC T20 World Cup commentary team. He also regrets the West Indies' failure to advance to the World Cup's Super 12 stage.

“The brand of cricket we played did not deserve to be in this World Cup, but it's sad not seeing the West Indies team in a T20 World Cup. I'm a positive guy, we could only go up from here, and I'm looking forward to 2024 when the West Indies team could be better,” he said.

Sammy is well-known in Pakistan for his involvement in the Pakistan Super League. Sammy has the same feelings for Pakistanis. Sammy, who describes himself as a Pakistan fan, said it was sad to see Pakistan lose its first two games.

“When you are in commanding positions to win cricket matches, you should win, but Pakistan didn't. They had the opposition both times under their control and let them come back, so it was disappointing to watch as a Pakistani fan, but you can’t count Pakistan out,” he said.

“And they have to continue; they have to be brave. Pakistan has to be brave. T20 is a game that demands you to be brave,” the former West India captain said.

When asked how he sees the two games that Pakistan lost and his assessment, the West Indies great cricketer pointed out that Shaheen didn't appear fully fit and was a different bowler than he was in 2021.

He also stated that Pakistan was cautious while chasing Zimbabwe.

Sammy said he dislikes comparing players and debating who is better but acknowledged that Babar and Indian batter Virat Kohli is excellent.

Former West Indian all-rounder said Babar's inability to score should not detract from his dignity and talent.

“Kohli spent 18 months without scoring 100 when Babar was just quietly scoring runs for fun, so that's cricket; form is temporary, class is permanent, and Kohli showed his class in this World Cup. Obviously, Babar couldn’t score, but that doesn't take away the class of Babar and how great he is as a batsman,” he said.

“What makes you even greater is when the pressure is on to stand up. And I think that's what Kohli has been able to do, and Babar still is coming,” he said.