Why has Babar Azam pulled out of Champions Cup One-Day tournament playoff stages?

Pakistan’s leading batter Babar Azam will no longer take part in the Champions One-Day tournament. The 29-year-old wasn’t part of the Stallions team during the 1st eliminator game on Wednesday. The Lions had beaten Stallions by 12 runs to move into the 2nd eliminator where they will take on Markhors on Friday. 

According to reports, the move comes after Jason Gillespie the Test team coach of Pakistan made the call. It is to preserve all the players who have been chosen for the 1st Test against England to be fit and avoid injuries. Shan Masood has been retained as the captain of the Pakistani side despite the series loss to Bangladesh. 

Along with Shan Masood even spin bowler, Abrar Ahmed has also pulled out of the Stallions team. Babar Azam had scored 230 runs from 4 games with an average of just under 77 with one fifty and one century during the tournament. Pakistan and England will play three Test matches with the 1st test starting on 7th October. 

Danish Kaneria slams Pakistani team in latest interview

Former Pakistan spin bowler Danish Kaneria recently spoke to the leading news agency IANS. During the interview, he slammed the men in green for their recent performances. The former star who picked 261 Test wickets also praised Team India for their performance in the 1st Test against Bangladesh in Chennai. 

Kaneria said, “The level of the Pakistan cricket team is so low that even a mohalla team is better than them, and all this is because of the PCB. They are to be blamed for such a below-par show from the national side. The luxuries of the captain's chair and the chairmanship at the PCB spoil minds.”

The former spinner also added, “I don't know why Babar Azam was given the leadership responsibility despite Sarfaraz Ahmed's good captaincy. Currently, there is no captain material in the Pakistan team. A captain is someone who takes the pressure on his shoulders and carries the team forward with his performance, which both Babar and Shan Masood have failed to do. Can't they have scored one century against Bangladesh in their home conditions.”

While speaking about the Indian side, Kaneria said, “When you look at the current Indian team, everyone takes responsibility and performs when it is needed. Shubman Gill, Rishabh Pant, R. Ashwin, everyone contributes, and that is why they are a world-class team.”

The former Pakistan spinner also earmarked Rishabh Pant as a future captain, “Rishabh Pant can lead India in Tests in the future. He has that caliber. He is performing very well after his injury comeback, and being a wicketkeeper, he keeps himself engaged with the bowlers and fielders always. Indian cricket is going great guns.”