Pakistan’s T20 World Cup 2024 campaign has been a disaster, to say the least. After a shocking loss in a Super Over against the USA and a handing a win to arch-rivals India, a washed-out match sealed their fate. Babar Azam and Co. were eliminated from the tournament, despite their one game against Ireland still to take place. This has cast a dark cloud over the team, with captain Babar Azam’s leadership facing intense scrutiny. This all has nothing but sparked a debate – could the Pakistan vs Ireland clash be Azam’s last hurrah as captain?
A potential overhaul on the cards?
This string of disappointments has unexpectedly ignited chaos within Pakistan’s cricketing circles. Fans are demanding answers, and the blame game is in full swing. Pundits and former players are calling for a complete overhaul of the team, echoing the sentiment of PCB chief Mohsin Naqvi. Naqvi’s statement, comparing the situation to a team needing “major surgery” instead of minor tweaks.
Babar Azam & his captaincy saga!
The situation becomes even more intriguing when considering Babar’s recent re-appointment as T20I captain. Following Pakistan’s disastrous 2023 ODI World Cup exit, he was replaced by Shaheen Afridi in the T20I format. However, this stint was short-lived, with Afridi leading the team in just one series before being replaced again by Azam in March 2024.
Given the disastrous T20 World Cup performance and the prior captaincy change following a disappointing tournament, it wouldn’t be surprising if the PCB reconsidered their decision. Babar’s captaincy, rekindled just before the World Cup, could be snuffed out before it even gained momentum.
What does the future holds for Babar?
The upcoming match between Pakistan and Ireland holds immense significance, not just for the tournament but for the future of Pakistan’s captaincy. Will Babar lead the team out, or will the pressure force a change at the helm after the tie? Only time will tell if the Ireland match marks the end of his captaincy tenure, or if he’s given another chance to prove himself. While Pakistan’s schedule after the T20 World Cup is yet to be announced, one thing’s for sure – Pakistan cricket is at a crossroads, and decisive action is on the horizon.
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