Pakistan cricket continues to struggle, with their recent Champions Trophy exit adding to their woes. In the aftermath, star batters Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan were dropped from the T20I squad for the ongoing New Zealand tour. However, rather than participating in the ongoing National T20 Cup, both players opted out, sparking criticism from former cricketer Sikander Bakht.
Sikander Bakht Criticizes Players’ Decision
Pakistan’s inability to regain its past cricketing glory has been a longstanding issue, and the latest setback has only intensified the scrutiny on players. Former cricketer Sikander Bakht strongly condemned Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan for skipping the National T20 Cup despite being excluded from the national T20I squad.
“They are employees of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and earn around 60 lakh per month. They should be playing in the tournaments organized by PCB. The responsibility lies with the board,” Bakht stated.
He further emphasized, “If you are playing club cricket instead of participating in PCB-organized tournaments, you are insulting the board.”
Calls for Stricter Rules from PCB
Pakistan’s early exit from the Champions Trophy has led to mounting pressure on the team, with Babar and Rizwan’s performance coming under scrutiny. In two matches, they managed to score only 49 and 87 runs, respectively. Playing in the domestic tournament could have helped them regain form, yet they chose to skip it.
Sikander Bakht urged PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi to take strict action. “This should not happen. Mohsin Naqvi is a polite person, but he needs to take a firm stance. Ask questions. Be strict. If needed, revoke their central contracts,” he asserted.
Despite being dropped from the T20I squad, both Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan are expected to return for the upcoming ODI series against New Zealand. The first match is set to take place at McLean Park on March 29.
