Harbhajan Singh Criticizes Timing of Babar Azam’s Captaincy Change

Former Indian Spinner Analyzes Pakistan Cricket’s Decision

Untimely Decision After World Cup

Harbhajan Singh, the former Indian spinner, has weighed in on the captaincy change in Pakistan cricket following last year’s World Cup. In an exclusive conversation with a local cricket website, Singh expressed his belief that the decision to remove Babar Azam from captaincy was made at an inopportune time.

A Reaction to World Cup Performance

Singh attributes the change in leadership to a reaction to the World Cup’s outcome, emphasizing the significant impact cricket has on both India and Pakistan. Acknowledging the vital importance of the World Cup, Singh suggests that the decision was a response to Pakistan’s underwhelming performance. However, he contends that the timing of this decision might have been detrimental, potentially hindering the team’s progress.

Setback Instead of Progress

In Singh’s perspective, decisions made too late can have adverse effects, and he suggests that this might be a contributing factor to Pakistan cricket’s backward progression rather than forward. While recognizing the significance of responding to a team’s performance, he hints that the timing may have impeded the team’s development.

Praise for Babar Azam and the Team

Despite his critique of the timing, Singh commends Babar Azam’s abilities but urges for a balanced perspective. He notes that while Babar is undoubtedly a talented player, it’s essential to recognize the contributions of other players in the Pakistan team.

Team’s Collective Effort

In emphasizing the collective nature of success in cricket, Singh draws parallels between India and Pakistan. He points out that both countries have a tendency to singularly praise specific players, overlooking the collaborative efforts of the entire team. Comparing Babar Azam to Virat Kohli, Singh stresses that teams win not solely because of one player but when the entire team performs well.

Recognition for All Players

Singh concludes by highlighting the need for recognition for all players in the team, emphasizing that Babar’s quality should not overshadow the talents of others. He expresses hope for Babar’s continued success but underscores the importance of collaboration among all team members to achieve victory.

Leadership Changes

It’s noteworthy that Shan Masood has replaced Babar Azam as the captain in Test cricket, while Shaheen Afridi has taken over the captaincy for the T20 side. The leadership shuffle signifies a strategic move by Pakistan cricket to navigate new directions in different formats.