NEW DELHI: Vice-captain Shadab Khan has voiced his support for skipper Babar Azam in the aftermath of Pakistan's World Cup campaign, urging a change in the cultural mindset that singles out the captain for both victory and defeat. Despite growing demands from former Pakistan cricketers to remove Azam as captain, Shadab emphasised that blame should not be solely placed on the captain's shoulders.
"This represents a cultural difference. When we emerge victorious, it is attributed solely to the captain's triumph. But in times of defeat, the responsibility for the loss falls squarely on the captain's shoulders. This should change," Shadab told reporters after Pakistan's 93-run defeat to England in their last World Cup match.
Babar Azam, who started the tournament as the world's No. 1 batter, has faced criticism for his captaincy and performance. Shadab acknowledged the disappointment but called for a more balanced perspective on attributing success and failure.
Back in Pakistan, discussions about wholesale changes in the team, including the removal of Babar as skipper, are gaining momentum. Shadab, reflecting on his own performance, stated, "I have let myself down, I didn't live up to my potential as a bowler that has impacted the team's performance."
"Whenever a tournament starts, we have to improve in all three departments. As a team, we failed to adapt to modern-day cricket," Shadab added.
In the same tournament, England's leg-spinner Adil Rashid emerged as the team's leading wicket-taker, expressing his desire to continue playing 50-overs cricket for England despite the team's World Cup disappointment.
"I still enjoy playing 50-overs cricket for England. I will try my best to keep performing and playing till the time it's finished. At the moment I feel good. Hopefully, this is not my last. I want to play for as long as I can," Rashid said.
Rashid's notable performance included figures of 2/55, with his dismissal of Shadab with a googly standing out as one of the highlights in England's 93-run win.
"To get a batsman through the gate is always a nice feeling. That's one of the things I try to work hard on in the nets," Rashid commented on his successful outing in the tournament.
(With inputs from PTI)
