Babar Azam not responsible for Karachi Kings' performance, it was a weak team: Rashid Latif

The ongoing seventh edition of the Pakistan Super League is close to its conclusion. However, one of the more popular teams in the tournament, Karachi Kings, crashed out early of the tournament. The Kings were abysmal in their performances having lost a record nine out of their ten games. The team lost the first nine of their games before a consolation win in their final outing against the Lahore Qalandars.

While the Kings have faltered massively as a unit, there has been some harsh criticism coming the way of their skipper Babar Azam. Azam, who is also the national captain and arguably the best current batter in Pakistan, has been criticized for his under-par strike rate throughout the tournament. Even though he has ended the season being the highest run-getter for his side, the opening batter has motored at a strike rate under 120, which is mediocre by T20 standards.

However, former Pakistan captain Rashid Latif thinks that rather than blaming Azam, the Kings need to focus better on their pre-season draft strategies in future. He commented that both Karachi and the Quetta Gladiators were not professional enough during the draft. The former wicketkeeper-batter feels the Kings lacked power in the middle order as well as their fast-bowling resources.

“First thing is they need to take draft seriously. In my view, Karachi and Quetta, both were not professional on the day of Draft as preparation for this starts one month prior,” Latif said in his interview with cricket Pakistan.com.pk
“My strategy would have revolved around this. How many hitters for the powerplay, batters in middle-overs, wrist spinners, two bowlers who can bowl 140+.”

There will be the pressure of losing so many games but my support is with Babar: Rashid Latif

The former Karachi Kings director further stated that captaining a national time in comparison to a franchise are two completely different things. He believes that no matter how strong a captain may well be if they have a weak team, it is difficult for them to succeed. He also insisted that the Pakistan Cricket Board should not be too concerned about their captain’s results in the PSL and there is not a need for them to panic, in the wake of recent debates on Azam leadership skills on social media.

“I won’t say anything on Babar‘s captaincy as it was quite a weak team and it was evident on the day of the draft. Whether a captain is big in stature if there are injuries and other things. He can not succeed.”

“A trend gets started and especially social media starts raising questions, comparing with other franchise captains. Yes, there will be the pressure of losing so many games but my support is with Babar. PCB doesn’t need to panic if the results are not good against Australia too and the things must carry smoothly,” said Latif.

Azam’s next captaincy assignment would be against Australia in the first of the three-Test match series, to begin on March 4 in Rawalpindi.