Last Update: April 27, 2023, 3:57 pm IST
Kamran Akmal (right) doesn’t think Babar Azam knows how to be a captain. (agencies)
An understrength New Zealand managed to draw a five-match T20I series against a full-strength Pakistan
The Pakistan cricket team, led by Babar Azam, suffered a crushing six-wicket defeat against New Zealand in the final T20.
More than the result, the manner in which Pakistan were beaten has led to massive resentment. With the Kiwis struggling at 76/4 in the 10th over of the encounter, Pakistan were comfortably placed to seal a win in the fifth T20I. But New Zealand made a sensational comeback to emerge victorious and level the series.
IPL 2023: orange cap Check out the full list of batsmen with the most runs here
After this dreadful result, Pakistan captain Babar faced the wrath of supporters and many experts. Former Pakistan wicketkeeper Kamran Akmal has now lashed out at Babar. Akmal sensationally said that Babar still does not know how to handle captaincy.
“Talking about their mistakes, they criticize and blame us. But our focus is on his captaincy, not his performance. We are not blind to their abilities. He (Babar Azam) still doesn’t know how to captain a team after four years – he doesn’t even know when to give the ball to which bowler. It’s no wonder they lost when they kept making the same mistakes. We didn’t control our errors and that’s why they won,” Kamran Akmal said on his YouTube channel.
Kamran Akmal felt that Babar Azam’s decision to bring in spinner Shadab Khan in place of Iftikhar Ahmed in the match was absolutely rediculous. The 41-year-old pointed out that it made sense to pick Ahmed when the two left-handers were at the crease.
IPL 2023: purple cap Check out the full list of batsmen with the most runs here
Batting first, Pakistan posted a total of 193. Mohammad Rizwan scored an unbeaten 98 to take Pakistan to a defendable total. New Zealand pacer Blair Tickner emerged as his team’s best performer in the bowling unit.
The visitors failed to start their run chase on a positive note. The Kiwi team lost their four wickets by scoring just 73 runs. The New Zealand all-rounder scored an unbeaten 104 to guide his team to a resounding victory. The Tom Latham-led side scored the winning runs with four balls to spare.
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The thrilling win helped New Zealand level the five-match T20I series 2-2.
The first ODI will be played between Pakistan and New Zealand today. A five-match ODI series is to be played between the two teams.
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