ICC World Cup: "It's easy to watch on TV," Babar Azam's incisive response to a query on Virat Kohli

 ICC World Cup: "It's easy to watch on TV," Babar Azam's incisive response to a query on Virat Kohli

England vs. Pakistan, ICC World Cup 2023: At Eden Gardens International Cricket Stadium in Kolkata, the Babar Azam-led Pakistani cricket side will play their last league stage encounter against England. In theory, Pakistan's encounter against the reigning champions is a "do or die" situation, but in reality, it may be the team's last one as they need to pull off an unlikely victory to even consider playing in the semifinals. Before the game, skipper Babar Azam gave a positive speech to the media and poked fun at homegrown supporters and analysts.

ICC World Cup: Pakistan has to defeat England by a certain amount in order to advance to the semi-finals.

Can't a cricket player like you take on the leadership job that Virat Kohli does for the Indian team? to continue playing cricket and devote more time to it? Since it might seem that this weight negatively affects your performance on an individual basis," a reporter questioned Babar Azam.

Asaan hota hai TV pe baith ke mashwara hai. Everyone knows my number if they need advise, so if mashwara dena hai toh number toh sabke paas hi hai. Advice on TV is simple to offer. You may mail me if you'd want to provide me any advise)," Babar Azam replied in a detailed manner.

The comments are made after New Zealand's victory against Sri Lanka on Thursday means that Pakistan's run in the ICC World Cup is almost ended. Pakistan has to defeat England by 287 runs while batting first or by 284 balls remaining when chasing, keeping in mind the net run rate (NRR) component. 

The captain of Pakistan also spoke the strain of being the team's captain and said that he doesn't feel it. According to Babar Azam, the pressure to be the captain is growing as he isn't performing to his full capacity.

"In the three years that I have led my squad, I have never felt this strongly. People are suggesting that I'm under pressure since I didn't play as well as I should have at the World Cup. There is no strain on me. For the last two or three years, I have been doing this. Not only was I the performer, but I was also the captain. I was using the same technique.

"I don't believe that this put any pressure on me or made me feel any different. When fielding, I strive to provide my all on the field. I consider how I should score runs and help the team win when I bat," Babar said.

The miserable performance of Babar Azam in the 2023 ICC World Cup

Babar Azam was the world's best ODI hitter before to the 2023 ICC World Cup, however the captain of Pakistan didn't play well in the competition. This World Cup season, Babar Azam has played in 8 matches and scored 282 runs at an average of almost 40.

"I wanted to bat well and finish well. I had no intention of scoring 50 or 100. Making the squad win was the most important thing. Not my own performance, but the one that benefits the team. I varied my playing speed according to the circumstances. I play to the circumstances and what my team requires," he said.