London: Former Pakistan wicketkeeper-batter Rashid Latif has strongly criticised Babar Azam after the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) made several major changes to the Test squad before the third and final match against England.
Pakistan had already lost the first two Tests of the series, including a heavy defeat at Lord’s. The poor results led to major changes in both the playing squad and the coaching staff.
Seven Changes Before Final Test
The PCB made seven changes to Pakistan’s Test squad ahead of the third Test, which began on September 9.
Around half of the team was replaced as Pakistan looked for a way to improve its performance and avoid a series whitewash.
The changes came after Pakistan struggled badly in the first two matches and faced increasing pressure from fans and former players.
Coaching Staff Also Changed
The changes were not limited to the players.
Pakistan’s Test mentor Sarfaraz Khan and bowling coach Umar Gul were asked to leave the United Kingdom before the final Test.
At the same time, white-ball head coach Mike Hesson and bowling coach Ashley Noffke were brought in to join the team’s backroom staff in England.
The sudden changes created further questions about the team’s management and leadership.
Rashid Latif Questions Babar’s Leadership
Rashid Latif was highly critical of Babar Azam during an interview.
Latif described Babar as a “dummy captain” and questioned whether he had shown enough leadership during the difficult period.
According to Latif, a captain should protect his players and coaching staff when the team is facing problems.
He argued that Babar should have spoken publicly about the changes and supported the members of his team.
Calls for Babar to Step Down
Latif also questioned why Babar had not resigned from the captaincy after Pakistan’s poor results.
He suggested that stepping down could have been a stronger leadership decision if Babar believed he was unable to change the team’s situation.
Latif said that remaining captain without taking responsibility for the team’s problems showed a lack of courage.
His comments reflected his disappointment with the way the situation was handled.
“Shameless” Situation
Latif used strong language while discussing the controversy.
He described the situation as “shameless” and said Babar had failed to behave like a true leader.
Latif’s criticism focused not only on Pakistan’s results but also on how the team was managed during a period of major changes.
He believed Babar should have taken a stronger position when players and coaches were being removed.
Pakistan Under Pressure
Pakistan entered the third Test under significant pressure.
After losing two matches in a row, the team needed a strong performance to avoid losing the series without a victory.
The changes to the squad were intended to give the team a fresh start, but they also raised concerns about stability and consistency.
Frequent changes can make it difficult for players to build strong partnerships and understand their roles within the team.
Latif’s Experience
Rashid Latif is a former Pakistan wicketkeeper and captain who played 37 Tests and 166 One-Day Internationals for the country.
Because of his experience at international level, his comments about leadership have attracted considerable attention.
He has previously spoken openly about Pakistan cricket and regularly discusses the team’s performances and management decisions.
Bigger Questions for Pakistan Cricket
The controversy has highlighted wider questions about leadership and decision-making within Pakistan cricket.
The team’s poor results have led to pressure on both players and coaches.
The PCB will now have to determine whether the major changes can help the team improve or whether further changes will be needed.
For Babar, the criticism adds to the pressure surrounding his leadership.
The debate over his captaincy is likely to continue as Pakistan looks to rebuild its Test team and improve its performances in future series.
The third Test therefore became important not only for the result but also for showing whether the team’s new combination could bring greater stability and success.