New Delhi, India

Former Pakistan captain Rashid Latif slammed Babar Azam for his inability to change his T20I approach following the Men in Green's shambolic T20 World Cup 2024 campaign. Under Babar, Pakistan failed to even reach the Super 8s in the 20-nation mega event, in West Indies and the USA. Babar-led Pakistan also lost to USA and many questions were raised on their captain's sluggish approach with the bat. Babar ended with 122 runs at a strike-rate of 101.66 in four matches. Thus, Latif lashed out at Babar for not being able to alter his T20I approach, saying 'if Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli can, why can't Babar?'

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Latif told ProSports as quoted by PakPassion on X, formerly known as Twitter, "If Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli can change their approach in T20Is, then why can't Babar Azam? I would like to cite Rohit Sharma's example. You saw how he evolved his game in the 50-over format. He has made himself a role model. In this year's IPL, he had close to 140 strike rate. If he can change his game, everyone can. He did not do this overnight, he had to work on his game. India showed they can do this. This is not a problem of the player but a problem of the ones who make them play."

Rohit and Kohli impressed one and all with their attacking intent in the T20 WC. While Rohit had a successful run, with 257 runs (second-most overall), Kohli had an ordinary campaign before turning up with a fine 59-ball 76 in the final -- where India beat South Africa by 7 runs in Barbados on June 29. Post the mega event, both also retired from T20Is. Rohit signed off with 4,231 runs -- most-ever -- with Kohli following him at the second spot with 4,188 runs.

Latif further also gave Babar and his opening partner Mohammad Rizwan an ultimatum by saying, "I would give Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan five matches to change their batting approach in T20Is and if they won't, then there should be no place in the team for them."

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Latif further lamented that Babar should not have accepted taking over as the white-ball captain when he was offered the post once again early this year. Notably, Babar resigned as Pakistan's full-time captain post the ODI WC in India in 2023. However, he was reappointed as the limited-overs skipper before the just-concluded T20 WC.

The former Pakistani cricketer added, "Babar Azam shouldn't have been removed as captain after the ODI World Cup in India. Shaheen came in to replace him. But Babar's second tenure as captain was weak. Babar looked weak. This is not the way team selection should be done. Babar didn't fight ( in the T20 World Cup). His biggest mistake was accepting the captaincy again. If he continues as captain, it will be an even bigger mistake."