Mohammad Asif Slams Babar Azam and Pakistan's Fast Bowlers Ahead of World Cup

Former Pakistan fast bowler, Mohammad Asif, has made some controversial and shocking remarks about the current Pakistan team and captain Babar Azam during a Twitter space session. Asif, who was banned from cricket for his involvement in the 2010 spot-fixing scandal, criticized Babar's batting skills, questioned the selection of some players, and called Pakistan's fast bowlers average.

Asif claimed that he can bowl a maiden over to Babar Azam in T20 cricket even today and that Babar cannot hit the ball if he faces good deliveries. He also said that Babar plays too many dot balls in the powerplay and puts pressure on Mohammad Rizwan. He added that he selected Babar in the trials after he faced only two balls and that he rates him highly as one of the best batters in the country, but not as a captain. He said that Shahid Afridi is trying to make Shaheen Afridi the captain, but it is not easy.

Asif also mocked the inclusion of Salman Ali Agha in the World Cup squad, calling him a waste of time and saying that even he can score the runs that Agha scores. He said that Agha only scores when Pakistan has already scored a lot of runs as a team. He also alleged that Hasan Ali is part of a lobby that eats with Babar Azam and other players and that he is in the team because of his connections in Pakistan cricket. He said that this used to be the case when he used to play too, and that a lobby does not select players from outside.

Asif also gave an average rating to Pakistan's fast bowling attack, which consists of Shaheen Afridi, Haris Rauf, Mohammad Hasnain, Mohammad Wasim, and Hasan Ali. He said that none of them are special and that they lack pace, swing, and accuracy. He said that they bowl too short or too full and that they do not have any variations or plans. He said that they need to learn from the likes of Wasim Akram, Waqar Younis, and Shoaib Akhtar.

Asif's comments have sparked a lot of reactions from fans and experts, who have slammed him for his disrespectful and baseless statements. Some have defended Babar Azam and Pakistan's fast bowlers, saying that they have performed well in recent times and have proved their worth on different pitches and conditions. Some have also questioned Asif's credibility and motive, saying that he is bitter and jealous of the current players and that he is trying to create controversy and negativity ahead of the World Cup.

Pakistan is set to play in the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2023, which will be held in India from February 9 to March 26. Pakistan is placed in Group B along with Australia, New Zealand, West Indies, Afghanistan, and two qualifiers from the ICC Men's T20 World Cup Qualifier 2023. Pakistan will play its first match against West Indies on February 11 at Eden Gardens in Kolkata.