After a Disappointing ODI World Cup Performance. Four months following his removal as the captain across formats due to a lacklustre performance in the 2023 ODI World Cup in India, Babar Azam has been reinstated as the captain of the Pakistan cricket team, replacing Shaheen Afridi.
The decision was officially announced by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Sunday, signalling a significant change just two months before the ICC T20 World Cup in the USA and the West Indies.
Previous Setback and Leadership Changes
Pakistan’s failure to advance to the knockout stage of the 50-over World Cup prompted Babar Azam to step down from captaincy. Subsequently, PCB, undertaking substantial restructuring post-tournament, appointed Shaheen Afridi to lead the T20I squad, while Shan Masood took the reins as the Test captain.
Babar Azam appointed as white-ball captain
— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) March 31, 2024
Following unanimous recommendation from the PCB’s selection committee, Chairman PCB Mohsin Naqvi has appointed Babar Azam as white-ball (ODI and T20I) captain of the Pakistan men's cricket team. pic.twitter.com/ad4KLJYRMK
During the intervening four months, Pakistan’s cricket journey was marked by a sole five-match T20I series against New Zealand, where they suffered a decisive 1-4 defeat. Additionally, Afridi’s captaincy stint in the Pakistan Super League was underwhelming, with Lahore Qalandars managing only one victory out of ten matches, finishing at the bottom of the table.
During the intervening four months, Pakistan’s cricket journey was marked by a sole five-match T20I series against New Zealand, where they suffered a decisive 1-4 defeat. Additionally, Afridi’s captaincy stint in the Pakistan Super League was underwhelming, with Lahore Qalandars managing only one victory out of ten matches, finishing at the bottom of the table.
Babar Azam’s Path Forward
With his reinstatement, Babar Azam is poised to lead Pakistan in a series of upcoming fixtures. Firstly, he will captain the team in a five-match T20I series against New Zealand at home, followed by four away games against England. These matches will serve as crucial preparations before Pakistan begins their T20 World Cup campaign.
The Pakistan Cricket Board said: “Following unanimous recommendation from the PCB’s selection committee, Chairman Mohsin Naqvi has appointed Babar Azam as white-ball captain of the Pakistan men’s cricket team.”
Pakistan’s journey in the ICC T20 World Cup is set to commence on June 6, with a match against co-hosts USA at the Grand Prairie Stadium in Texas. The highly anticipated clash against arch-rivals India is scheduled for June 9 in New York, promising a thrilling encounter. Alongside these fixtures, Pakistan is grouped with Ireland and Canada in Group A of the tournament.
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