LAHORE: Middle-order batter Iftikhar Ahmed took exception to the criticism hurled at Pakistan captain Babar Azam, calling it a ‘sin’. 

Iftikhar, who represents Quetta Gladiators in the ongoing Pakistan Super League season 8, comes out in support of star batter Babar, saying the ones who criticize him ‘should look at their stature first,’ without naming anyone.

“I believe criticising a player like Babar is just like committing a sin,” he said in an interview with a local news channel on Wednesday.

“Everyone knows that there is no other player like Babar in the world,” he claimed.

“See your level first before passing comments on Babar. First, make yourself a cricketer like him and then criticise. I believe criticising Babar is a sin,” he reiterated.

It may be noted here that Babar is often criticised for his low strike rate in the shortest format of the game. Some cricket analysts and fans also point fingers at his on-field decisions as a captain.

However, the right-handed batter led Pakistan to the semifinals in two successive T20 World Cups -2021 and 2022 – and finished as runner-ups in the latter.

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