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Pakistan's cricket team is under the microscope after their exit from the Super 4 stage of the Asia Cup 2023. Despite an initial victory against Bangladesh, the team suffered a staggering 228-run defeat by India in Colombo. Their hopes were further dashed in a rain-affected match against Sri Lanka, where despite a valiant effort in the final overs by Shaheen Afridi and Zaman Khan, Charith Asalanka's resilience saw Sri Lanka clinch victory on the last ball.
Captain Babar Azam is at the epicentre of the criticism, especially for his leadership choices during the tournament. His decision-making in the rain-affected match against India, where he didn't capitalise on having India at 66/4, allowing them to recover to 266, has been particularly contentious. Additionally, Babar's unwavering support for Shadab Khan, despite his underwhelming performance, has raised eyebrows, with many suggesting that Usama Mir might have been a better choice.
In the midst of this scrutiny, former Pakistan captain Younis Khan shared his insights on ARY News, pointing out a recurring 'pattern' in the team's strategy. He said, “Even if we were facing Namibia, we were more focused on keeping the winning combination. In our culture, we think, 'if Sarfaraz is the wicketkeeper, Rizwan shouldn't be there because it will create pressure on Sarfaraz, and vice-versa'." Drawing a parallel, he added, "if Babar Azam is the captain of the team, Younis Khan -- being the batter of similar stature -- can't be vice-captain because it would put Babar in pressure.”
Younis further emphasised the importance of adaptability, stating, “If you can't handle this pressure, you are not capable of being in the national team. Captaincy isn't a very big deal actually. You can't follow a certain pattern everywhere in this day and age. Batters now have a plan. Even now, nothing has gone wrong. Address the grey areas. Don't back someone just because he is a fan favourite.”
Amidst this backdrop, rumours have emerged about a disagreement within the dressing room, involving Babar Azam, post their Asia Cup departure.
To add to Pakistan's woes, reports suggest that Naseem Shah might be ruled out of the 2023 World Cup due to a shoulder injury from the Super 4 match. With Haris Rauf's fitness also in question, challenges are piling up for Pakistan as they gear up for the World Cup in India, starting their campaign against the Netherlands on October 6.
