Author: News Desk

Former Pakistan cricketer Aamir Sohail has come out in defence of Babar Azam, arguing that constant public criticism has confused the batter and is doing more harm than good during the ongoing T20 World Cup 2026.

Speaking on a TV show, Sohail said that the relentless targeting of Babar’s strike rate and shot selection has created unnecessary pressure on a player of proven ability.

“We have targeted one individual, Babar Azam. If he has gone to the World Cup, you don’t want to drop him from the team, do you want to kill him?” he asked sarcastically. 

Sohail argued that critics need to first understand what Babar brings to the table and use him accordingly, rather than expecting him to be something he is not.

“First, understand what his ability is. His ability is at a certain level, and you must use him according to that ability. Even I was disappointed that after so much experience, the shot he played against India was because of that confusion, just to impress people, to show that he can do it too,” he opined. 

Amir Sohail then urged everyone to stop the noise and let Babar play his natural game. “If you want Babar Azam to play, then give him a role and accept him in that role. Talk about what best you can get from him. The World Cup is happening right now. Let them play,” Sohail said.

The show host also pushed back on a remark made by former cricketer Basit Ali, who had suggested Babar cannot hit straight sixes. 

“I have even heard people say that he should show it by hitting a straight six. If he can’t hit a six, then he won’t get runs from fours either. Is hitting a six a qualification to play cricket? Then tell me this: how was he world number one for three years?” the host asked. 

Babar has struggled to find his best form at the tournament despite being the format’s leading run-scorer in the world. 

He has managed 66 runs in three matches at a strike rate of 100.08.

Former English cricketer Michael Vaughan has questioned whether International Cricket Council (ICC) chairman Jay Shah can remain impartial in his role, after observing Shah’s celebrations during India’s matches.

Speaking on the Stick to Cricket podcast alongside David Lloyd, Phil Tufnell and Sir Alastair Cook, Vaughan said the sight of Shah celebrating always catches his attention.

“The chairman of the ICC is meant to be impartial across the game. He’s in charge of the whole game, and India get a wicket and the camera pans and he’s just up celebrating,” Vaughan said.

David Lloyd acknowledged the point but suggested it is a broader problem in cricket. “To be fair, you do get that in some commentary boxes as well. You’re meant to be impartial and suddenly there’s a wicket and people are up jumping and throwing their arms in the air. It’s hard. I definitely don’t get involved at all. I am absolutely neutral,” he said.

When Vaughan asked Cook about Pakistan and India not shaking hands on the field, Cook was dismissive of it. 

“Aren’t they talking behind closed doors? I read somewhere that everyone’s just chatting anyway. It’s like it’s only for show, isn’t it? On the actual field they’re not shaking hands, and then behind closed doors they’re all talking,” he said.

The handshake issue began after the military conflict between the two countries in May 2025, with India’s players refusing to shake hands with Pakistan at the Asia Cup later that year.

The gesture has been absent at every meeting since, including at the ongoing T20 World Cup 2026.

The conversation also turned to the long-standing absence of Pakistan-India bilateral cricket. Cook questioned, “If they played a T20, why can’t they then play a Test match?” he said.

Vaughan replied that it all comes down to money. “Do you know why it doesn’t happen? Because clearly there’s so much coin [money] involved with the World Cup. So they always play at an ICC event because of the coin. But can you imagine how much money would be made from a three-match series?” he said.

It is worth noting that the two sides have not played a bilateral series since 2012-13.

Former Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi has advised Shadab Khan to let his performances do the talking, while also delivering a pointed message about the 2021 T20 World Cup generation’s failure to live up to their historic victory over India.

Afridi was responding to Shadab’s recent jibe at ex-cricketers, in which the all-rounder said “they didn’t do what we’ve done.” 

Speaking on a local news channel, Afridi agreed with Shadab’s sentiment but argued that the praise that followed the 2021 win became too much to handle  for the players. 

“Shadab is absolutely right. We didn’t win against India, they won. They got respect, but they couldn’t handle the respect,” Afridi said.

He elaborated on what he meant. “The meaning of not being able to handle the respect is that after 2021, they couldn’t handle the problems between them, couldn’t handle them individually, couldn’t handle them as a team,” he added.

Afridi also reminded Shadab that former cricketers, including himself, stood by him publicly during his poor run of form and his periods out of the side.

“When he wasn’t able to perform well, when he was being excluded from the team, we used to sit on TV and say that Shadab is the backbone, Shadab’s overs are very important, he can bat as well. It was us who used to talk about Shadab,” he said.

While praising Shadab’s character and respectful nature, Afridi drew on his own career to make his point, recalling that former cricketers “even cursed” players of his generation, yet they responded with performances rather than words.

“Shadab, you also performed well against Namibia. God willing, you will also perform against New Zealand. Son, perform.  In difficult times, we used to stand with you, we used to back you, we used to lift you up. You didn’t play domestic cricket. Despite that, you came into the Pakistan team, and yet we are sitting here to support you,” Afridi said.

He closed with a direct challenge. “Perform and then God willing, give us an answer. So that we also become silent, and when the World Cup ends, we will become silent,” he said.

It is worth noting that India defeated Pakistan by 61 runs in the ongoing T20 World Cup on Sunday. Chasing 176, Pakistan could manage only 114 and were bowled out in 18 overs, marking their fourth T20 defeat to India in six months.

Indian politics is beginning to cast a shadow over England’s league The Hundred, with growing fears that Pakistani players could be sidelined by franchises with Indian Premier League (IPL) ownership links.

According to a British broadcaster, teams in The Hundred with IPL-affiliated ownership may avoid picking Pakistani cricketers altogether. Only franchises without IPL stakeholders are expected to consider Pakistani players for selection.

A senior official from the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) reportedly informed a player agent that IPL-owned teams within The Hundred could stay away from Pakistani players. 

One agent went further, telling the broadcaster that avoiding Pakistani players has effectively become an unwritten rule for franchises operating under Indian ownership.

Four of The Hundred’s eight teams, namely Manchester Super Giants, MI London, Sunrisers Leeds and Southern Brave, have IPL franchises holding 49 percent ownership stakes in them. That means half the tournament’s teams could potentially shut their doors to Pakistan’s cricketers before the auction even begins.

The broadcaster also noted that the same trend has already surfaced in South Africa’s SA20 and the UAE’s ILT20, suggesting this is not an isolated concern but a pattern emerging across franchise cricket.

The Hundred player auction takes place on March 11 and 12, with several Pakistani cricketers including Haris Rauf among those in the player pool.