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Pakistan‘s journey in recent ICC tournaments has been marked by highs and lows under Babar Azam‘s captaincy. Following a promising semifinal finish in the T20 World Cup 2021 and a runner-up position in 2022, where they lost to England, expectations were high for the team entering the T20 World Cup 2024. However, early losses to the USA and India in the group stage dashed their hopes of advancing further. Despite rallying with victories over Canada and Ireland, their campaign ended prematurely, highlighting inconsist♌ency and performance challenges.
Criticism and calls for structural reforms in Pakistan cricket
The team’s underwhelming performance in the 2024 edition has triggered criticism from former players and analysts. Sarfaraz Ahmed, a successful ICC trophy-winning captain for Pakistan, has been vocal about the need for comprehensive restructuring rather than superficial changes. He has advocated for reducing the selection committee to three members, emphasizing that the recent removal of figures like Wahab Riaz and Abdul Razzaq does not address the deeper issues affecting Pakistan’s cricketing strategy and performance.
“Major surgery is required if at all we want to put the system on the right track. There should be a three-member selection committee, and mere sacking Wahab and Abdul Razzak would not be enough. Not even Asad Shafiq (a silent spectator) and Mohammad Yousaf are capable of delivering,” Sarfaraz was quoted as saying by Onecricket.
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Sarfaraz Ahmed names Babar Azam’s replacement as a captain
Amidst the team’s fluctuating fortunes, questions have emerged about Babar’s effectiveness as a leader. While Babar has showcased his batting prowess, concerns linger over his ability to steer the team through crucial tournaments and maintain consistency in performance. Sarfaraz has openly suggested Mohammad Rizwan as a potential alternative for captaincy in white-ball formats, citing Rizwan’s strong domestic and franchise cricket performances as evidence of his leadership potential.
“Rizwan has proved his captaincy credentials by helping KPK win all domestic events in the past while his performance as Multan Sultans’ captain has been consistent over the years. He is the best choice for the job. Babar Azam is low in confidence and should not be considered for the job,” Sarfaraz concluded.
