Babar Azam plays bizarre knock vs USA, Irfan Pathan slams Pakistan skipper

New Delhi,UPDATED: Jun 6, 2024 23:19 IST

Irfan Pathan lashed out at Pakistan skipper Babar Azam for his bizarre knock in the T20 World Cup 2024 Group A match against the United States. On Thursday, June 6, Babar scored 44 runs of 43 balls with 3 fours and 2 sixes before Jasdeep Singh accounted for his wicket. The Men in Green did not get off to the best of starts as Mohammad Rizwan, Fakhar Zaman and Usman Khan failed to take advantage of the field restrictions.

After Pakistan were asked to bat first, Babar struggled to get going in the powerplay, playing at a strike-rate of 27. After a sedate start, he tried to up the ante before Jasdeep dismissed him. In a post on X, Pathan said that Babar should have done better than playing at around a run-a-ball.

USA vs PAK, T20 World Cup Updates

“On a fairly decent batting condition as a captain if you are playing 40+ ball inning with 100 strike rate. You aren’t helping your team cause,” Pathan wrote.

Babar has most struggled in the powerplay in T20 World Cups. In 14 innings, Babar has scored 166 runs from 191 balls at a strike-rate of 86.91. Interestingly, he is yet to hit a six during the fielding restrictions in the mega event.

Shadab, Shaheen propel Pakistan

After Pakistan lost the early wickets, Shadab Khan took the responsibility of injecting momentum into the innings. He scored 40 runs off 25 balls with 1 four and 3 sixes before Nosthush Kenjige got his wicket. Later, Shaheen Shah Afridi threw his bat around to stay not out on 23 runs off 16 balls with the help of a four and 2 sixes.

Apart from Kenjige, left-arm fast bowler Saurabh Netravalkar also bowled his heart out with figures of 4-0-18-2. Ali Khan and Jasdeep got a wicket apiece.

As far as Babar is concerned, he went past Virat Kohli to become the all-time leading run-scorer in T20Is.