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Former Pakistan cricketer defends Babar Azam against mounting criticism

Imad Wasim says the star batter deserves respect for his track record despite recent poor form.

man in white and red jersey shirt and white pants holding brown wooden stick
Illustrative image. Photo: CFPhotosin Photography on Unsplash

At a glance

  • Imad Wasim publicly defended Babar Azam on social media against ongoing criticism
  • Babar was dismissed for a five-ball duck in the tri-series final against Sri Lanka
  • Pakistan won the ODI tri-series against England and Sri Lanka
  • Imad cited nearly a decade of strong performances as reason for Babar to receive more respect

Former Pakistan all-rounder Imad Wasim has publicly defended Babar Azam against criticism from fans and former cricketers, describing him as a superstar and one of Pakistan's finest ODI batters. Babar was dismissed for a duck in Saturday's ODI tri-series final against Sri Lanka, which Pakistan won by three wickets.

Imad argued that nearly a decade of consistent performances should not be overshadowed by a difficult period. He questioned the level of criticism Babar continues to face, suggesting it stems from personal agendas rather than fair assessment.

Why it matters

Babar Azam is a key player for Pakistan's cricket team, and debate over his form reflects broader discussions about the team's performance and player management.

Original reporting

This brief was written with AI assistance from the reports listed above and checked against our editorial policy. Spotted an error? Request a correction.