Amir Targets Babar Azam In Blunt World Cup Critique, Cites MS Dhoni's Example
Pakistan had a dismal World Cup 2023 campaign
In the aftermath of Pakistan's disappointing performance in the World Cup 2023, where they failed to reach the semifinals for the third consecutive time, team captain Babar Azam finds himself at the centre of criticism.
Amir questioned Babar's decisions in World Cup debacle
The team's journey, marked by a historic five losses, including four back-to-back defeats, ended with a heavy 93-run loss to England in Kolkata, drawing intense scrutiny on Babar's leadership.
Amid this turmoil, former Pakistan Cricket Board chairman Ramiz Raja advocated for systemic changes rather than a shift in captaincy. However, this perspective was met with a fiery counter from ex-fast bowler Mohammad Amir, who argued vehemently for a change in mindset over structural alterations.
Amir, speaking on the show 'Haarana Mana Hay' on Geo News, passionately recalled Pakistan's cricket history, highlighting victory in 1992 under Imran Khan, the near victory in 1999, the T20 World Cup win in 2009, and the Champions Trophy triumph in 2017, all achieved under the same system.
“What is the system? It is not a wall. Five and six people have been given responsibility to run the Pakistan cricket. A captain is also one of them. In 1992 under Imran Khan, we won the World Cup, the system was same. In 1999, our team was a world-beater, who reached the finals. We won the 2009 T20 World Cup with the same system, we won the 2017 Champions Trophy under the same system,” said Amir.
The southpaw further suggested that leadership, not the system, was the key factor, questioning the strategic decisions made during the campaign, such as sidelining players like Abrar Ahmad and Fakhar Zaman after the first match.
“As long as captain's mindset will not change, system can do nothing. Was it the system, who told him not to play Abrar Ahmad, or bench Fakhar after first match,” added the erstwhile pacer.
Further explaining his point, Amir shed light on MS Dhoni's tenure as the Indian captain. He admired how Dhoni, without altering the existing system, transformed players like Ravindra Jadeja and Ravichandran Ashwin into world-class performers, thereby reshaping Indian cricket.
According to Amir, Dhoni’s leadership was crucial in nurturing talents, leading to Jadeja's recognition as one of the world's best all-rounders.
“We say Dhoni changed India's cricket, but he never changed the system. People kept saying that for how long will he keep giving Jadeja and Ashwin chances. And now we say Jadeja is World's best all-rounder. MS Dhoni has given them the team,” concluded Amir.
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