Former Pakistan all-rounder Shahid Afridi has defended Babar Azam's place in the T20 side, saying the senior batter is not solely responsible for Pakistan's struggles in the T20 World Cup.

 

Speaking in an exclusive interview with The Current, Afridi said other senior players must also step up in big moments.

 

"Look, in the last match [46 against USA], Babar scored runs, right? Okay? But as a senior player, it's not just Babar's responsibility. There's also Fakhar, there's Shaheen. These are players who have been representing Pakistan for quite some time. It's their responsibility too to deliver big performances in major events. To win matches for Pakistan. So, I think right now there's no issue with Babar. He faces balls but he should try to convert those balls into more runs," he said.

 

It is worth noting that the interview was recorded before Pakistan's match against India.

 

However, after Pakistan's 61-run defeat to India on Sunday, Afridi's tone shifted. Speaking to a private television channel after the match, he said, "I would drop Babar, Shaheen and Shadab. Give new players a chance against Namibia."

 

Babar managed only five runs against India before getting dismissed playing an unnecessary shot. India batted first and posted 175 for 7 in their 20 overs. Pakistan collapsed in reply, managing just 114 before being bowled out in 18 overs.

 

Babar had scored 66 runs across three matches at a strike rate of 100.08 going into the tournament. His absence from last year's Asia Cup, where Pakistan badly missed an anchor batter, had kept him under scrutiny ever since.

 

Pakistan face Namibia on Wednesday needing a win to stay in the tournament.