"Stay strong and keep shining" - Rahmanullah Gurbaz's advise to Babar Azam amid Pakistan's struggles in 2023 World Cup

Afghanistan opener Rahmanullah Gurbaz has urged Babar Azam to stay strong amid a tough time as Pakistan's captain in the 2023 World Cup. The 21-year-old took to X (formerly Twitter) and expressed his happiness at receiving the bat from the No.1 ranked ODI batter.

Although the classy right-handed batter has scored two fifties, Pakistan's 2023 World Cup campaign has been far from impressive. After winning the first two matches, they plummeted to three consecutive losses, including a defeat against Afghanistan in Chennai. After their first ODI defeat to Afghanistan, Pakistan copped plenty of backlash.

Gurbaz tweeted on Wednesday (25 October):

"Wonderful gift 🏏 by a wonderful player and human being. Truly gentleman @babarazam258. Chin up, stay strong and keep shining ❤️🫡

Babar made a gritty 74 on a two-paced Chennai wicket against Afghanistan. Abdullah Shafique also made a half-century, while Shadab Khan and Iftikhar Ahmed played their finishing roles to propel their side to 282 in 50 overs.

However, Afghanistan chased the total with eight wickets to spare as their top 3 scored fifty-plus runs. The Men in Green are now fifth in the table with four points from five matches so far.

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Babar Azam could be replaced as captain in ODIs - Reports

Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan. (Credits: Twitter)

Pakistan's results in the ongoing 2023 World Cup have put Babar Azam's captaincy in doubt after the tournament. Recent reports have claimed that the Lahore-born batsman has a chance of retaining his captaincy only if the 1922 World Cup winners can stage a miraculous comeback in India.

Shaheen Shah Afridi, Mohammad Rizwan, and Sarfaraz Ahmed are three contenders to replace the 29-year-old if Pakistan's poor form continues. Their next match is against a rampant South Africa side on October 27 in Chennai.

The Proteas have played exceedingly well, winning four out of five matches, including beating defending champions England by 229 runs. Temba Bavuma's side currently sit four points and three places above Pakistan in the group standings.

While Pakistan have won only two out of their five ODI World Cup matches against the Proteas, the former emerged victorious in both the 2015 and 2019 editions.