While in the ODI World Cup last year in India, Pakistan failed to qualify for the semis, in the recently concluded T20 World Cup in the Americas, Babar and Co. didn’t even make it to the Super 8 stage.
At the recent ICC’s cricketing extravaganza, Babar, the batter, failed as well as he managed a lowly 122 runs in 4 group-stage matches.
However, all-rounder Hassan Ali on Thursday came to his defence, expressing his unwavering support for the embattled batsman. In an interview with Cricket Pakistan on YouTube, Hassan defended Babar Azam while hailing the under-fire batsman as “the King of Pakistan”.
“I have certainly noticed how much abuse I’ve been receiving since that day for saying ‘king kar lega’ (the king will do it). He is my king, he is the king of Pakistan cricket, and he will always remain so because of the kind of batsman he is. I know maybe people will abuse me again and speak ill of me. But he is the best batsman of Pakistan, and he has proved it,” he said.
“I know he hasn’t won anything, and he should win as a captain. He should win trophies and series for Pakistan. But he is the best,” he added.
Abused for hailing Babar Azam as “KING” | Hassan Ali Exclusive Interview | Cricket Pakistan
Hasan also pointed out that the ‘Fab Four’, consisting of Virat Kohli, Kane Williamson, Steve Smith, and Joe Root, became the ‘Fab Five‘ with the emergence of Babar.
“He is the king of Pakistan’s batting lineup. He has performed everywhere, except in India where we went once last year and he didn’t score a hundred there (in the World Cup). You must have heard of the ‘Fab Four’, and now because of Babar Azam, it’s the ‘Fab Five’. Babar Azam is that fifth player. So Babar Azam has improved, and he is the best. I still stand by that statement,” added Hassan.
Amid Babar’s poor run with the bat during the T20 World Cup 2024, Pakistan made an early exit from the tournament. This included an upset loss against USA and a defeat to arch-rivals India in the group stage.