Babar Azam. (Source -Twitter/X)
Pakistan have displayed a dismal performance in the T20 World Cup 2024 so far. The Babar Azam-led side lost to United States of America and India before outclassing Canada in the third game. They are on the cusp of getting ousted from the tournament and their fortunes depend on India winning their remaining game as well as USA losing comprehensively. It is worth noting that, after being ripped off from captaincy post-World Cup 2023 debacle, Babar was reinstated as the white-ball captain ahead of the tournament.
Following the subpar performance of his team and his captaincy being under scrutiny, the reports suggest that the PCB is likely to stick with Babar as Pakistan’s white-ball captain. Under his captaincy, the Men-In-Green reached the semi-finals of the T20 World Cup 2021 and the finals of the 2022 T20 World Cup. However, the silverware remained elusive as the team underwent immense structural changes.
The consultation is ongoing and it is not appropriate to discuss the matter: Naqvi
After Pakistan succumbed to India on June 9, PCB chief Mohsin Naqvi called for a ‘major surgery’ in Pakistan cricket. The statement came after growing uncertainties as Pakistan were outclassed by the minnows, USA in the league game termed the biggest upset in the country’s cricket. Naqvi, shedding light on the possible leadership changes, remained tight-lipped but promised that the consultations are underway.
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“I thought the team required minor surgery to start winning matches but now it appears that we have to go for major surgery. It is very disappointing the way we lost to the USA and now this loss to India. We need to now start looking at players beyond those in the team right now,” said Naqvi after the loss to India.
“The consultation is ongoing and it is not appropriate to discuss [the matter] further at this juncture,” Naqvi said as quoted by Geo News.