“I don’t think he has given a bad performance anywhere” – Hasan Ali on Babar Azam

Pakistan fast bowler Hasan Ali has backed under-fire skipper Babar Azam. Ali said he feels Azam hasn’t given a bad performance anywhere and he should improve in the upcoming matches. The Pakistan captain faced a lot of criticism after his team was knocked out of the T20 World Cup 2024, failing to qualify for the Super 8 stage.

The Men in Green was stunned by hosts USA in the Super Over contest and then suffered a six-run loss against arch-rivals India despite being in a shoo-in position at one stage in the run-chase of 120. 

Meanwhile, Azam scored 90 runs in three matches of the T20 World Cup and failed to lead from the front.

Speaking to Cricket Pakistan, Hasan Ali said, “He is the king of Pakistan’s batting lineup, and he should improve. I should improve; everyone should improve. And you can see that he has also improved. It’s not like he hasn’t done it. Wherever he has performed in batting, I don’t think he has given a bad performance anywhere, except in India in the recent World Cup, where he didn’t score a century.”

On the other hand, Hasan Ali was not picked in Pakistan’s squad for the T20 World Cup and the pacer doesn’t regret missing out on the T20I showpiece.

“I don’t regret it. Obviously, I wanted to play, and I wanted to perform and play. I don’t want to play without performance, and it’s neither in my nature nor do I want to play that kind of cricket, and I never have. So I don’t regret it because the management had already told me that I was Haris Rauf’s replacement only for the Ireland and England tours. So when Haris gets fit, you will automatically be out.”

Pakistan will next host Bangladesh for two Test matches in August.