The Pakistan cricket team is presently enduring one of its toughest periods. There appears to be dissatisfaction among the players regarding the management, and reports indicate internal disputes within the squad.
A recent video of Iftikhar Ahmed has gone viral, capturing the cricketer taking a jab at Pakistan’s white-ball captain Babar Azam and the team management. In this video, Iftikhar can be heard referring to himself as a tailender rather than an all-rounder.
Iftikhar Ahmed on Babar Azam and the Pakistan team management
When a reporter questioned Iftikhar about Pakistan’s issues in the middle order, he provided a surprising response, identifying himself as a lower-order player and a tailender instead of a middle-order batter.
“I am not a middle-order player. I am a lower-order player. I am not an all-rounder, but a tailender because if you see, I bat at No. 7 or 8. If you see anywhere, an all-rounder bats at No. 4 or 5. I play at No. 7 or 8, so I consider myself as a tailender,” Iftikhar remarked.
Iftikhar Ahmed has shown himself to be a capable middle-order batter, recognized for his ability against spin and as a reliable finisher. Additionally his off-spin bowling provides valuable balance to the Pakistan team.
Iftikhar Ahmed’s performance in T20 WC 2024
Iftikhar was a part of the T20 World Cup 2024 squad which failed to advance beyond the group stage under the captaincy of Babar Azam. Following their inability to progress to the Super Eight stage, the team faced severe criticism for its performances, including a loss to a lower-ranked team like the USA.
Ultimately, India and the USA qualified for the Super Eights from Group A, while Pakistan was eliminated. In the four matches that Pakistan played in the T20 World Cup 2024, Iftikhar Ahmed participated in just the first two against the USA and India and was left out of the final two.
His performance was disappointing, managing only 23 runs in those two matches at an average of 11.50 and a strike rate of 100, without taking any wickets. He batted at No. 7 in both outings.
