Islamabad. Pakistan cricket team is playing a series against England before the T20 World Cup. Tried and tested Babar Azam returns as Pakistan captain for the T20 World Cup. This is a continuation of the big changes that have taken place in Pakistan cricket in the last 18 months but this champion batsman could prove to be the key to the team's success.
After the defeat of the Pakistani team led by Babar in the T20 World Cup final against England in November 2022, four presidents were changed in the Pakistan Cricket Board, the selection committee was changed and the experiment of making Shaheen Shah Afridi the captain was not successful. Now the team has got a new coach in the form of Gary Kirsten for the limited overs format. Pakistan has not yet announced its 15-member squad for the T20 World Cup to be held in the US and West Indies from June 1 to 29.
After missing out on the semi-finals of the 50-over World Cup in India last year, when Zaka Ashraf was the PCB chief, Babar had resigned from captaincy in all formats. Now the new president Mohsin Naqvi has again given him the command of the T20 team. All-rounder Imad Wasim and fast bowler Mohammad Amir also withdrew their decision to retire from international cricket as their experience in the Caribbean Premier League would be beneficial for the team in the West Indies.
Capable of performing unexpectedly, the Pakistani team has performed well in the T20 World Cup. Has reached the finals thrice and apart from winning the title in 2009, has also reached the semi-finals thrice. Pakistani players have started following Kirsten's Gurumantra. Afridi said in the PCB Podcast, “Gary has told us to play not for the name written on the back of our jersey but for the badge on the front of the shirt. I won't be able to forget it.
first published : May 22, 2024, 3:02 pm IST
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