The future of Pakistan’s white-ball captain Babar Azam and the fate of the selection committee remain uncertain as head coach Gary Kirsten and selector Wahab Riaz submitted their tour reports for the T20 World Cup to Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Mohsin Naqvi. This follows Pakistan’s disappointing exit from the T20 World Cup 2024, where defeats to the USA and India led to their early departure from the tournament.
Disappointing World Cup Campaign Sparks Backlash
Pakistan’s performance in the T20 World Cup has led to widespread criticism and intense scrutiny within the country. The selection committee, viewed as being led by Wahab Riaz, faced significant backlash. Additionally, Babar Azam’s captaincy, marked by tactical errors and a conservative approach, has been heavily criticized. Questions have also been raised about the squad selection, especially the exclusion of specialist leg-spinner Abrar Ahmed despite Shadab Khan’s inconsistent form.
Gary Kirsten and Wahab Riaz, who also served as the senior team manager for the tournament, have now submitted their reports to PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi. This move is seen as a step closer to addressing the issues within the team. However, the PCB has emphasized the need for a considered decision rather than a hasty one. With no white-ball engagements until November, the PCB has the luxury of time to deliberate on the necessary changes.
Possible Changes in Leadership
The PCB is open to the possibility of a change in captaincy, although retaining Babar Azam has not been ruled out. The dilemma partly arises from the lack of obvious candidates to replace him. Babar was reinstated as captain after Shaheen Shah Afridi was sacked following a poor performance in the ODI World Cup 2023. The PCB’s cautious approach aims to avoid making rushed decisions that could further destabilize the team.
With Kirsten and Wahab’s reports now in hand, any decisions regarding the significant changes Naqvi had previously hinted at are theoretically closer. However, the PCB has consistently refused to set a timeline for any action. The board aims to ensure that any changes made are in the best interest of Pakistan cricket’s future.
In the meantime, the cricketing community waits in anticipation of the PCB’s next move. The reports submitted by Kirsten and Wahab are expected to provide a comprehensive analysis of the team’s performance and recommendations for improvement. The outcome of these deliberations will be crucial for shaping the future of Pakistan’s cricket team, especially as they look ahead to their next international engagements.
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