'Not Babar And Rizwan...' - Iftikhar Ahmed Puts Blame On Shaheen Afridi

image-ls8pbgt9Babar hugging Iftikhar (X.com)

Pakistan all-rounder Iftikhar Ahmed has offered his backing to Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan amidst scrutiny surrounding the team's subpar performance in various formats. The all-rounder believes that both players are of world-class caliber and emphasizes that the entire team should shoulder responsibility in the event of defeats.

The last few months in Pakistan cricket have been marked by upheaval, starting with rumours of a discord between Babar Azam and the board. A disappointing World Cup campaign led to Babar stepping down as the team's captain, before Shan Masood and Shaheen Afridi filled in.

Speaking during the press-conference in the Sindh Premier League, Iftikhar acknowledged feeling pressure when required run rates soared and admitted his own responsibility. However, he emphasized that solely blaming Babar and Rizwan isn't fair. 

“The burden falls on us when the required run rate reaches 13, 14 or 15, but it is not the fault of Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan. In this I think we will play well as a team, and do we blame even small things on Babar and Rizwan? They are world-class players of our team and we should respect them together," said Iftikhar Ahmed in the press-conference.

In the recent T20I series against New Zealand, Iftikhar struggled with the bat but contributed effectively with his off-spin, taking three wickets in the fifth T20I, playing a crucial role in the team's sole victory in the series.

Currently, Pakistan team is experiencing a challenging phase in all three formats of the game. Simultaneously, there is considerable instability within the Pakistan Cricket Board. 

Given that the current director, Mohammad Hafeez, is unlikely to continue in the role, the team must address numerous issues. The three foreign coaches, led by Mickey Arthur, have already resigned from their respective roles. It’s not going well within Pakistan cricket.