ODI World Cup: I don’t see any attitude from team while fielding, says Pakistan captain Babar Azam | Cricket News

NEW DELHI: Pakistan’s captain, Babar Azam, confronted his team’s fielding shortcomings and the need for a fresh approach after their unexpected loss to Afghanistan, a defeat that has placed them on the brink of elimination from the World Cup.
Pakistan’s eight-wicket defeat to Afghanistan marked their third consecutive loss in the tournament, following two initial wins. The shocking loss has left Pakistan in a precarious position, needing to win all their remaining four matches to secure a spot in the semifinals.

Azam expressed his frustration with his team’s lack of attitude, particularly in the fielding department, during the post-match press conference.

He emphasised that fielding requires a positive attitude, extra effort, and fitness, elements he felt were lacking among his players.
“Whenever you do fielding, it is only with attitude. And I don’t see any attitude from the team. You need to put in extra effort and be fit,” Babar stated. He called for better focus and proactivity from the fielders, citing the need for a more cohesive and efficient fielding unit.

Looking ahead to their upcoming match against South Africa, which is now a make-or-break contest for Pakistan, Azam recognized the necessity for a new approach. He acknowledged that his team would need to foster a positive atmosphere within the squad while addressing their deficiencies.

“We will have to go with a different plan, a different mindset, we will try to bring a positive vibe in the team,” the captain stated. He also expressed hope that the team would learn from the defeat against Afghanistan and analyse both their successes and shortcomings.

Babar Azam admitted that Pakistan had been inconsistent in various departments of the game throughout the tournament. He noted, “Sometimes, we do well in bowling, (but) we don’t do well in batting. When we do well in batting, we don’t do it in fielding.”
Pakistan’s formidable pace bowling attack, considered one of the best in the world, has struggled to meet expectations in the current World Cup, frequently conceding runs. Azam acknowledged that the absence of pacer Naseem Shah due to injury had been a significant setback for the team.

He emphasised the need to address these issues and regain their consistency. Despite the challenges, Azam stressed that Pakistan has nothing to lose and will continue to give their best effort in the remaining matches.
Responding to questions about a potential dip in the team’s confidence after their loss to arch-rivals India, Azam remained optimistic, stating, “No, I don’t think so. It’s not like that. We have seen in Australia’s match, we had scored almost three hundred. In bowling, we started badly, but we finished up well. But I don’t think we have anything to lose. Every team is a new match, and we try to give our best.”
(With PTI inputs)