Easy to give opinion on TV; captaincy didn't affect my batting: Babar takes on critics

Babar Azam hits back at critics, says captaincy had no impact on batting. Refuses to agree team's performance has dipped since '99. Admits lack of experience in India has affected them. Asserts easy to give opinion on TV, invites critics to call him directly. Urges team to focus on next match, finish well.

Hitting back at critics for questioning his leadership skills, Pakistan skipper Babar Azam on November 10 said it's easy to give opinion on TV and asserted that captaincy had no adverse impact on his batting in the World Cup.

Azam has been in the eye of storm after their embarrassing eight-wicket defeat against Afghanistan and for failing to defend 271 against South Africa, who they had reduced to 260/9.

Former skippers including Moin Khan and Shoaib Malik have openly criticised Babar's captaincy on air and felt that the burden of leadership has affected his batting.

"It's very easy to give opinion on TV. If someone wishes to offer advice, they are welcome to call me directly, my number is known to everyone," Babar said, referring to the criticism.

Malik had contended that Babar was was king as a batsman but not as a leader.

"The guy who is most responsible is the captain," Malik had said.

Moin had opined that Babar should learn from Indian batter Virat Kohli, who is now more focussed on batting after quitting captaincy. "He would have been better playing as a batsman than leading this team. Look at Kohli," said Moin.