Pakistan is in a crucial situation following their underwhelming showing at the just finished T20 World Cup 2024. PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi has received the tour reports from head coach Gary Kirsten and selector Wahab Riaz, which could lead to major changes in the team’s hierarchy and leadership.
Debate and scrutiny of the Men in Green’s performance and management have been aroused by their early withdrawal from the main event after they were unable to advance past the group stage.
Fans and cricket authorities demanded explanations and action as the campaign ended in disappointment, with defeats to the USA and India proving to be especially hurtful.
Kirsten and Riaz’s submission of their tour reports is a significant milestone in the PCB’s assessment procedure. It is anticipated that these reports will shed light on the team’s practices, performance, and interpersonal relationships throughout the competition.
Pakistani team lacks cohesion: Gary Kirsten
The rumoured remarks made by Kirsten concerning the squad’s discord have fueled the flames and intensified the current discussions about leadership and team cohesion.
The Pakistani team lacks cohesion; although they refer to it as a team, it is not one. They are all divided, left and right, and they are not helping one another. I’ve worked with a lot of teams, but I’ve never encountered something like this,” Kirsten reportedly stated. Notably, further reports that refuted these claims later surfaced as well.
Captain Babar Azam’s future is uncertain because the PCB is allegedly open to a new leader. This choice is made more difficult by the absence of obvious successors, though, given the recent back-and-forth around Shaheen Shah Afridi’s brief captaincy tenure.
The selection committee’s decisions have also drawn criticism, especially for continuing to leave out specialised leg-spinner Abrar Ahmed.
Under Babar’s leadership, critics have highlighted a tactically deficient culture and deficiencies, which the PCB needs to rectify if they want to see a revival of the team’s success in key events.