Skipper Babar Azam blasted his critics on Friday, telling them it’s easy to give advice on TV“ as he refused to surrender his World Cup dreams.
Pakistan have to defeat defending champions England by at least 287 runs on Saturday to oust New Zealand as the fourth and last semi-finalist on net run rate.
Failure to do so will spark more questions over Azam’s captaincy, a position he has held for three years.
“I have not performed the way I should have in the World Cup, that’s why people are saying that I am under pressure. I am under no pressure,” insisted the 29-year-old.
“Everyone has their own point of view, their own way of thinking. Everyone is saying something different. He should be like this, or like that.
“If someone has to give me advice, everyone has my number. It is easy to give advice on TV. If you want to give me some advice, you can message me.”
Azam has made 282 runs at the tournament with an average of just over 40 and four fifties.
However, as captain, he has overseen four defeats in eight games including a shock loss to Afghanistan and a shattering one-wicket defeat to South Africa.
They stayed alive in the tournament last weekend when Fakhar Zaman’s unbeaten 81-ball 126 not out inspired a rain-hit win over New Zealand despite the Black Caps having piled up 401-6.
Azam insisted his team has not given up hope of pulling off a victory over England despite the huge margin required.
“It’s not like this matter is not in the back of the mind. It’s in our mind and we will try to do it,” said Azam.
