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Sunil Gavaskar with Babar Azam and Hardik Pandya (Image Source: Twitter)
On 23 October 2022, team India began their 20-20 World Cup campaign in Melbourne against arch-rivals Pakistan. However, India managed to win this time around by four wickets. In their second game against Zimbabwe in Perth, Pakistan lost again by one run. Hence, fans and former players have criticized the captaincy and team selection of Babar Azam.
Now, former Indian cricketer, Sunil Gavaskar also came up with blame on the Pakistani skipper. He said that Pakistan have a player on their team who can contribute like Hardik Pandya. But, they did not play him against India and it might cost them the match.
“They don't have a very settled middle order." - Sunil Gavaskar
While speaking to India Today, Sunil Gavaskar slammed Babar Azam for making poor team selections so far in the ongoing World Cup. He also added that Mohammad Wasim Junior performed with both the bat and ball against Zimbabwe. Stille, they did not play him against India. He even compared that player with the Indian all-rounder, Hardik Pandya.
The former Indian skipper said: “They don't have a very settled middle order. In the T20I matches they played before, Fakhar Zaman played at No.3 or 4. Now he is just part of the squad, but not in the XI. Shan Masood is also there. although he is scoring runs. But I feel their selection hasn't been good. For Australia conditions, if they had a bowler who could seam up as Mohammad Wasim did against Zimbabwe.”
“And he also played a couple of good shots as well. He has that talent. Unke paas toh Hardik Pandya jaisa player hai (he's like Hardik Pandya), he's still new but I'm just giving the idea that he can play those lofty shots and can give you a couple of overs as well. And they did not play him against India. They played two spinners. That is okay in Sydney, but at other venues, you need a player who can give you 3-4 overs and can score 30 runs in the last few overs,” Sunil Gavaskar concluded. Against Zimbabwe, Mohammad Wasim Jr. took four wickets for 24 runs in his four overs. Even, with the bat, he scored 12* runs off 13 balls, including two fours.