Whereas within the ODI World Cup final yr in India, Pakistan didn’t qualify for the semis, within the lately concluded T20 World Cup within the Americas, Babar and Co. did not even make it to the Tremendous eight stage.
On the current ICC’s cricketing extravaganza, Babar, the batter, failed in addition to he managed a lowly 122 runs in four group-stage matches.
Nonetheless, all-rounder Hassan Ali on Thursday got here to his defence, expressing his unwavering help for the embattled batsman. In an interview with Cricket Pakistan on YouTube, Hassan defended Babar Azam whereas hailing the under-fire batsman as “the King of Pakistan”.
“I’ve definitely observed how a lot abuse I have been receiving since that day for saying ‘king kar lega’ (the king will do it). He’s my king, he’s the king of Pakistan cricket, and he’ll all the time stay so due to the type of batsman he’s. I do know perhaps folks will abuse me once more and converse unwell of me. However he’s one of the best batsman of Pakistan, and he has proved it,” he stated.
“I do know he hasn’t gained something, and he ought to win as a captain. He ought to win trophies and collection for Pakistan. However he’s one of the best,” he added.
Abused for hailing Babar Azam as “KING” | Hassan Ali Unique Interview | Cricket Pakistan
Hasan additionally identified that the ‘Fab 4’, consisting of Virat Kohli, Kane Williamson, Steve Smith, and Joe Root, grew to become the ‘Fab 5‘ with the emergence of Babar.
“He’s the king of Pakistan’s batting lineup. He has carried out all over the place, besides in India the place we went as soon as final yr and he didn’t rating 100 there (within the World Cup). You need to have heard of the ‘Fab 4’, and now due to Babar Azam, it is the ‘Fab 5’. Babar Azam is that fifth participant. So Babar Azam has improved, and he’s one of the best. I nonetheless stand by that assertion,” added Hassan.
Amid Babar’s poor run with the bat throughout the T20 World Cup 2024, Pakistan made an early exit from the match. This included an upset loss in opposition to USA and a defeat to arch-rivals India within the group stage.
