Gautam Gambhir criticizes Babar Azam after Pakistan's loss against South Africa
Gautam Gambhir criticized Babar Azam after Pakistan's one-wicket loss against South Africa in ODI World Cup 2023 at MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai.
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Former India cricketer Gautam Gambhir has harshly criticized Pakistan captain Babar Azam following his team's loss to South Africa on Friday, October 27, 2023 at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai during Match 26 of the ICC Cricket World Cup. Pakistan were bowled out for 270 runs in 46.4 overs after electing to bat first, whereas South Africa closed down the target in 47.2 overs and triumphed thrillingly by one wicket.
Gambhir harshly criticized Babar after Pakistan's loss, stating that the Pakistan captain has never delivered a significant innings and that his records and rankings are inflated.
Babar Azam has not contributed to any significant innings. Rankings and records are overrated. "Whoever wins matches is the true No. 1," Gambhir stated on Star Sports.
Babar's fifty-six against South Africa was particularly noteworthy, as it marked his third half-century of the tournament thus far. In the third match, he scored 50 (58) and 74 (92) in the previous match against Afghanistan and India, respectively.
Throughout the six matches played thus far in the tournament, the Pakistan captain has amassed 207 runs in six innings at a strike rate of 79 and an average of 34.50. The batsman, who is currently ranked number one in one-day internationals, has yet to demonstrate sufficient prowess to warrant his top spot thus far in the tournament.
Resuming the match, Pakistan lost their openers Abdullah Shafique (9 off 17 balls) and Imam-ul-Haq (12 off 18 balls) for nothing, both of whom were dismissed for 38/2 after 6.3 overs by Marco Jansen.
Aiden Markram leads run chase for South Africa
Captain Babar (50 off 65 balls) maintained his position at one end and reached his third fifty of the tournament; however, he was dismissed by Tabraiz Shamsi Saud Shakeel (52 off 52 balls) after failing to convert it into a substantial score. Shadab Khan (43 off 36 balls) contributed an additional 84 runs for the sixth wicket off 71 balls, which assisted Pakistan in surpassing the 220 mark.
In response, South Africa was reduced to 250/8 following the dismissal of Aiden Markram, who had scored 91 (93) in an outstanding performance. Keshav Maharaj (7* off 21 balls) and Tabraiz Shamsi (4* off 6) assisted in the pursuit of 271 runs in 47.2 overs, which ultimately contributed to their team's one-wicket victory.
