Misbah slams Babar’s captaincy, Bishop confident in Pakistan's comeback

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Former Pakistan captain Misbah ul Haq criticized skipper Babar Azam following Pakistan's defeat to the USA on Thursday, June 6, at the Grand Prairie Stadium in Dallas.

Speaking on a sports TV show, Misbah expressed disappointment in the team's performance in their opening match of the T20 World Cup.

"In crucial matches, while defending a target, Babar doesn't have the shrewdness and street smartness you need. Even in terms of selection, we've seen this since the ODI World Cup and Asia Cup that when something isn't working, you don't search for a solution. You think it'll just happen, but it doesn't. You have to find a solution," said Misbah.

"There are crucial decisions, like bowling a non-regular off-spinner to two set right-handers. You suddenly bring Amir with the new ball ahead of Naseem. With death bowling, we bowl full-pitched slower ones or yorkers with mid-off up. So many boundaries are hit over mid-off, but we don't learn.

"Naseem has won matches with the bat and can easily hit 2-3 sixes; his confidence level is different, so why are you sending Haris Rauf ahead of him? With the new ball, you're controlling the game as the captain, and you know you have 3 bowlers who bowl 140+. In the first 6 overs, there isn't a single bouncer against a team like the USA. When the ball is reversing, you're only focused on saving runs, not taking wickets,” he added.

Misbah also highlighted the stark contrast in game awareness between the two teams, mentioning how the USA outperformed Pakistan in fitness, speed, and smartness, particularly during the Super Over.

“It was a humiliating defeat for the 2009 T20 World Cup winners by the associate team USA. No plan. Babar Azam said they were not able to execute their plans. There was no plan. When it came to handling the fast bowlers, we didn't know who would bowl after the first over. Both Naseem and Amir were walking to take the run-up. So, we did not have a plan for even 2 overs. They looked clueless," he said.

"Look at their game awareness and look at ours. In the Super Over, they were pinching extra runs via byes. In terms of fitness, in terms of speed, in terms of smartness, they defeated us," he added.

In contrast, former West Indies cricketer Ian Bishop expressed support for the Pakistani cricket team ahead of their crucial match against India. Bishop took to his X account (formerly Twitter) to boost morale, stating, "Spirits up Pakistan. You know that when your team is good, they can be extremely good. Keep the faith."

Pakistan is set to face their arch-rivals India on Sunday at the Nassau County International Stadium in New York.