LAHORE: Pakistan batsman Shoaib Malik has said white-ball bowler Babar Azam will not play any major international in T20Is.
Pakistan made their first appearance in the T20 World Cup in the group stage, losing to USA and India in their first two matches.
After their first two losses, the Green Shirts needed Ireland to beat the hosts, but the game was called to Florida due to rain, causing Babar Azam’s men to bow out of the competition.
Despite the D game, Pakistan failed to chase down 120 against India and failed to defend 15 against USA in the last game. The inability to press has raised several questions.
He said Malik Babar, who made his international debut in 1999, was Pakistan’s best player but did not match the best international teams in the shorter format.
“Who is our best player? Our best player is Babar Azam. I am only talking about four or five teams. Can Babar fit the playing XI of that team? Australia, India or England only in this format?” The answer is no,” Malik said while speaking at a local sports event.
Notably, India won the T20 World Cup 2024 in the final by beating South Africa by seven runs in Barbados.
India joined England and the West Indies to win the T20 World Cup twice, defeating Pakistan in the final in 2007.
The next edition of the T20 World Cup will be held in India and Sri Lanka in 2026 and 12 teams will be confirmed, while the remaining eight will qualify for the mega event after playing qualifiers.
