Hafeez backs Babar, reveals reason for Shadab's poor form

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Former Pakistan cricketer, Mohammad Hafeez, has voiced his support for Pakistan captain Babar Azam, emphasizing that blaming Babar alone for the defeat in the 2023 Asia Cup is unjust.

During a media talk, Hafeez urged for collective support for Babar Azam in the lead-up to the World Cup, commencing on October 5 in India. He stressed that crediting the captain for reaching the final should be consistent with apportioning blame for the loss.

"If you don't give credit only to the captain for reaching the final, then don't blame the defeat only on the captain. Throwing blame on a single player will not solve the problem," Hafeez said.

Hafeez emphasized the importance of acknowledging failure and focusing on progress. He acknowledged the team's shortcomings in the Asia Cup, urging a reflective approach for constructive improvement. 

"Babar should be fully supported for the World Cup and think about changing the captain after the World Cup," he further added.

"We failed in the Asia Cup and we have to accept that. Only when we accept failure will we move towards improvement. There must have been mistakes in our planning as these players have been in the national side for the last two to three years," Hafeez said.

Hafeez recognized that the team would face a challenge playing in India, particularly due to the players' limited exposure to those conditions.

"It will be a challenge for this team to play in India. The boys will have to play with courage but we should expect good results from this team," he said.

As a member of the Cricket Committee, Hafeez recommended the appointment of a spin consultant for major events. He expressed disappointment with the spinners' performance, highlighting Shadab Khan's struggles, which he attributed to his participation in T20 leagues.

"The performance of the spinners was very disappointing and they couldn't bowl well. Shadab Khan could not perform well and his performances are affected due to playing T20 leagues," he concluded.