'17 players, 60 rooms': Former Pakistan cricketer SLAMS Babar & Co for 'holidaying in USA' post T20 WC debacle

Former Pakistan wicketkeeper-batterAtiq-uz-Zaman recently went on an epic rant, slamming Babar Azam-led Men in Green following their 2024 T20 World Cup debacle. Babar-led Pakistan were in Group A alongside arch-rivals India, USA, Ireland and Canada. Many predicted them to reach the Super 8sat least with ease. However, the 2022 runners-up ended up winning only two games, beating Ireland (in a nervy chase) and Canada. They lost to India and shockingly went down to the USA.

Following their terrible show at the ongoing 20-nation event, in the West Indies and the USA, Atiq ripped apart Babar & Co in a video which has surfaced on social media platform X, formerly Twitter. In the clip, he claimedthat the players' activities during the mega event made him feel like they were on a holiday.

He said, "You are creating such a drama. During our time, there used to be a coach and with him a manager -- the team was run like that.Ab aapke 17 log hain officals mein aur 17 players hain, suna hai ke aapne 60 kamre book karvaye hue they(you have 17 officials and equal number ofplayers; it's being said you booked 60 rooms). That's a joke! Have you gone there to play cricket or to holiday?"

'You guys have made it a habit to travel with wife on tours'

Atif --who represented Pakistanin one Test and three ODIs -- further stated, "Why do you allow families in big events?...Begum, jaan nahi chhodti; aapne aadat bana di hai, begum ko saath le ke ghoomne ki aadat hai(you guys have made it a habit to travel with wife on tours). They go out in the evening and focus shifts from cricket. They focus on family, kids, wife...Takeaways pe khana kha rahe hote hain...aur wahan pe unki movieyan chal rahi hoti hain(they are eating at takeaway joints and also being captured on videos by fans)."

Atiq added, "Such a culture has been created in Pakistan cricket that nobody knows what is discipline...You have gone to play such a big event, where is your focus?...Can't you leave everything else and focus on cricket alone for two weeks? You are being paid crores annually."

A lot has been said and written about Pakistan cricket following their shambolic performance in the ongoing ICC event. Reportedly, some big calls are set to be made and a lot of revamp is in store for the national team as well as for the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB).