Ex-Pak pacer faces backlash after asking Babar to improve personality
Lahore, May 18 (IANS) Pakistan batsman Babar Azam’s performances over the past couple of years has led to commentators and fans touting him as the next big thing in world cricket. The 25-year-old already leads the team in limited-overs cricket and is touted as a future captain of Pakistan in all formats of the game after his recent performances in Test cricket.
However, former Pakistan pacer Tanvir Ahmed had some peculiar advice to give Babar. Tanvir, who played five Tests, two ODIs and one T20I for Pakistan between 2010 and 2013, said that Babar will have to improve his “personality, his dressing sense and his English.”
“Try to improve your personality,” Tanvir was quoted as saying by Cricket Pakistan. “By personality, I mean a person can change his dressing sense. Babar Azam also needs to improve his English, which is necessary.
“Whenever someone becomes a captain, he has to talk during the toss and post-match presentation. Plus, he will also give interviews on various channels when he tours different countries.
“A leader needs to be punctual and organised as the players follow the captain. He should also maintain his fitness level, because if the captain himself isn’t fit, then he can’t advise other players on improving their fitness.”
It has however not gone down too well with fans, some of whom wondered if Babar’s English or personality matters more than his own individual and the team’s performances.
“Tanvir Ahmed via Youtube says Babar Azam needs to improve his English, work on his personality and change his dress sense,” said Pakistani cricket journalist Saj Sadiq in his tweet.
“However many probably will feel as long as he’s scoring runs and doing well as skipper, it doesn’t matter how good his English is or what he wears #Cricket.”
Another user said: “What do you need to be the skipper of the team? Cricketers: Leadership, Runs, class and form. Tanvir Ahmed: Good English, dressing sense and personality.”
“Tanvir Ahmed is a disgrace,” tweeted another user.
One user wondered why Tanvir is still relevant: “why is this Tanvir Ahmed so relevant and pretend to be an expert? What’s his contribution and special records? Pls enlighten me.”
–IANS
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