Earlier this week during the tri-series in New Zealand, Pakistan’s prominent TV show host, Aftab Iqbal, came under fire for criticizing Babar Azam’s egoism and claiming that he was no longer a star in his eyes.
Days later, the all-format captain responded to Aftab’s criticism in an unusual manner, saying “By the way, I don’t know who you are talking about. I don’t even know him. Such things happen whether we lose or win.”
Last night, the renowned TV host seemingly apologized to the star batter, but it did not appear to be a genuine apology as the host attempted to describe himself as a bigger fan of Babar Azam despite not recognizing him as a star.
When questioned in a live show whether he sees any positive aspects of the criticism he received on social media following his statement about the all-format captain, he said, “Countless, it is not the first time,” he added.
The TV host further responded to the question by saying that the most important aspect of the criticism is that the fans think “Daikho Aftab Bhai, aap ki baat ka log bara asar laitay hain so please daikhy wo humara hero hai.”
It is worth noting that Pakistan won the tri-nation series in New Zealand under the captaincy of Babar Azam, who finished the competition as the tournament’s third-highest run-scorer, scoring 192 runs in five innings.
The fact that Aftab Iqbal (whoever that is, as Babar Azam puts it) “conjured” THIS as the most important aspect of criticism leveled against his pointless commentary before an us-usual mute audience just goes to show how full of himself this man is.
He would be better served sticking to his usual shtick of explaining whether eating gobhi gosht (or whatever his ‘fancy’ meal of choice may be these days) with a “ball waala paratha” or “afghaani naan” would be more tantalizing.
Smashed it man, spot on.
Shame Aftab Iqbal shame 😡
Babar Azam is the best ever player & captain of Pakistan 🇵🇰🏏💓
Moreover a down to earth human being 💓
Rana sb,
Pakistan comes FIRST before Babar Azam or whomsoever!
He maybe the best player in the world – but he did not win any signifant tournament of the world unlike Imran Khan, Younis Khan & Sarfraz.
Reason for that as per cricket experts; he is not willing to change the opening pair of himself & Rizwan by introducing an explosive opener like Fakhar Zaman, etc.
So I fully support Aftab Iqbal’s view & Baber should keep Pakistan first and not his ego or stubbornness however great player he maybe!!
Dear fakhar last series is Asia Cup how much runs he score and what’s his Strike rate. This opening is best even to ICC newly showing ranking. Pakistan lack consistent players that’s the issue.
In your mind Aftab Iqbal is “The Pakistan”. Are you joking ? What should Aftab Iqbal know about cricket? He has to put his views in politics and cooking things in uoot patang ways.
He is the first captain tobeat India in a world Cup, in his short capaincy stint, he has achieved what other greats hadn’t. That too with utter confidence.
There is a sheerest need to give chance to Shargeel Khan in the first 3 to 4 slots of a t20 side,as so for there is not a single such a consistent and fast batter in Pakistan side.
Aftab Iqbal is a self centered egotistical fart of the first order
آفتاب اقبال ایک ایسا بھانڈ انسان ہے جو نصیبو لال کے گانے پر بھی سبحان اللہ کہتا ہے
People who have never played competitive cricket and never set a foot in cricket field are crazy about Babar Azam. He is only interested in making his own records and not a captaincy material at all. This is not a Pakistani team this friends11. Only people who are Babar and Rizwans friend they can play.
Even in recent series it was Nawaz a no7 batsman who won matches for Pakistan where Babar and Rizwan were only playing for their own batting averages. Both of them eats 70% balls in every match and gets out.
Babars only goal is to break Kohlis records and that’s all. Babar can’t chase 200+ runs in T20’s he is happy with 160 or 170 at most. He was groomed by Misbah and Waqar.
Others are scoring 200 in every match and we targeting 160 against Bangladesh.
People like Aftab Iqbal think that they have the knowledge of everything on the earth and beyond. Only an ignorant can live with such idea. Babar Azam has commented beautifully on this ignorant Aftab. Aftab mistook him as one of his comedian of his TV show.
Uzr azz gunah battar azz gunah… His apology is worse than his earlier blunder. This complacent nincompoop finds a way even in his faults to pamper himself.