Pakistan’s World Cup Ambitions Diminish After Devastating Loss to Afghanistan Under Babar Azam’s Leadership.
The Babar Azam-led Pakistan cricket team finds itself in a dire predicament at the Cricket World Cup, having suffered three consecutive losses that have cast a shadow of uncertainty over their tournament prospects. These defeats have not only stirred apprehension among cricket enthusiasts but have also invited critique from former Pakistani players and experts.
The Pakistan cricket team, under the stewardship of Babar Azam, confronts a perilous situation at the Cricket World Cup. While a single loss can significantly derail any team’s aspirations, the repercussions of three consecutive defeats are even more severe. The recent setback at the hands of Afghanistan, following losses to India and Australia, places the 1992 World Cup champions on the brink of elimination from the competition. This resounding defeat has triggered a wave of disapproval from former Pakistani players and cricket pundits, raising pertinent questions about the team’s leadership and performance.
Afghanistan’s assertive display in Chennai, where they effortlessly chased down Pakistan’s 283-run target, has left the Babar Azam-led squad in a precarious position. Eminent figures from Pakistan’s cricketing history, including luminaries such as Wasim Akram, Misbah-ul-Haq, Ramiz Raja, Rashid Latif, Muhammad Hafeez, Aaqib Javed, Shoaib Malik, Moin Khan, and Shoaib Akhtar, have all articulated their concerns regarding the team’s lackluster performance. They have specifically singled out Babar Azam for the team’s string of defeats against India, Australia, and Afghanistan.
Babar Azam’s decision to hand his bat to Afghanistan’s opener, Rahmanullah Gurbaz, in the aftermath of the eight-wicket loss has not been well-received within cricketing circles. This gesture has only intensified the growing calls for a change in leadership.
Aaqib Javed, who currently serves as the Director and head coach of the PSL team Lahore Qalandars, has proposed that Shaheen Shah Afridi assume the captaincy in white-ball formats. Aaqib firmly believes that Shaheen represents the future of Pakistan cricket and that Babar has yet to establish himself as an effective captain in white-ball cricket.
“Shaheen is the most promising choice for the future of Pakistan cricket. Babar has fallen short in demonstrating his suitability as a captain in white-ball formats,” emphasized the former pace bowler.
Aaqib further criticized all players, with the exception of Haris Rauf, for failing to perform up to the mark against Afghanistan. Pakistan now faces the daunting challenge of winning all their remaining four matches against England, South Africa, New Zealand, and Bangladesh to have any hope of advancing to the semifinals.
Wasim Akram also conveyed his disappointment with the team’s performance, highlighting the subpar fielding and the players’ body language against Afghanistan. He pointed out that the players appeared ill-equipped to defend a total of 283 runs, attributing this to mediocre bowling and below-par fielding.
Akram also raised concerns about the players’ fitness levels, noting that Pakistan players had not undergone any fitness assessments in the past year. He emphasized the paramount importance of being in peak physical condition in contemporary cricket and how fitness directly impacts a player’s ability to take catches and prevent boundaries.
In the modern era of cricket, reaching peak performance is unattainable without maintaining optimal physical condition. “Without full fitness, how can one expect to excel in taking catches or preventing boundaries? The fielding efforts of some of our players seemed reminiscent of those savoring decadent feasts,” observed Akram.
Misbah-ul-Haq, another former Pakistan captain, critiqued Babar Azam’s captaincy, suggesting that his tactical decisions and field placements appeared amateurish. He pointed out the mismanagement of Haris Rauf, who was brought on during the power play with only two fielders outside the circle, resulting in an early loss of confidence.
Misbah recommended that Haris should be introduced into the attack with at least a sweeper at cover and three deep fielders on the leg side. Ironically, both Misbah and Akram had played pivotal roles in convincing the PCB to appoint Babar as the captain across all formats, replacing Sarfaraz Ahmed after the 2019 World Cup.
Former Pakistan all-rounder Abdul Razzaq accused Babar of influencing the performance of other players. He noted that when Babar bats at a slow pace, it adversely affects the other batters, preventing them from playing their natural game. This, in turn, has hampered Pakistan’s strike rate in the tournament.
As the Babar Azam-led Pakistan cricket team grapples with these criticisms and a series of losses, there is an escalating sense of urgency to address these issues and regain their footing in the World Cup. The team must promptly regroup, rectify their deficiencies, and deliver exceptional performances in their remaining matches to rekindle their hopes in the tournament. The entire cricketing world will be closely observing how Pakistan responds to this daunting situation and whether Babar Azam can lead the team to a remarkable comeback.