Babar Azam-led Pakistan's T20 World Cup 2024 campaign came to a disappointing end after their disappointing show in the ongoing showpiece event. They were eliminated in the group stage itself, needing a win by Ireland over the United States to progress. However, rain washed out the crucial match, handing the USA a spot in the Super Eight. This exit follows a string of setbacks for Pakistan. They suffered a surprising loss to the USA in their opening match and then fell short against arch-rivals India by a narrow margin of six runs.
The team's performance, led by captain Babar Azam, has drawn criticism from former cricketers. Tamim Iqbal, the star Bangladesh opener, even took to social media to express his disappointment at Pakistan's elimination. Interestingly, his message also included a reference to former Pakistani captain Shahid Afridi, hinting at a potential reason behind the criticism or speculation surrounding the team's performance.
“Feel sad to see Pakistan get eliminated from T20 WC. Hope they come well next time and have seniors like @SAfridiOfficial to show the way,” Iqbal wrote.
Pakistan's T20 World Cup flop could have consequences for the players' wallets. According to a report by PTI, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is considering taking strict action. This could involve reviewing the central contracts of the players, potentially leading to salary reductions. A source revealed that some officials and former players have urged PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi to re-evaluate the central contracts given to the team. These contracts were originally awarded during the time of Zaka Ashraf, Naqvi's predecessor. This move is likely a response to the team's poor showing and is intended to be part of a larger effort to improve Pakistan's cricket performance.
Pakistan Team in Disarray? Reports of Factions and Leadership Tension
Adding another layer to Pakistan's T20 World Cup disappointment, reports suggest internal divisions within the team. The same news agency (PTI) alleges the squad might be fractured into three groups, potentially led by captain Babar Azam, fast bowler Shaheen Afridi, and wicketkeeper-batsman Mohammad Rizwan. Speculation points towards leadership issues as the source of tension. Shaheen reportedly lost his captaincy in limited-overs formats earlier this year, with Babar returning to the role. This, coupled with reports of Rizwan being unhappy about not being considered for the captaincy, paints a picture of potential discontent within the team.
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