Pakistan cricket has been under scrutiny lately. Babar Azam's batting form has mirrored the team's struggles, culminating in a disappointing group-stage exit at the T20 World Cup 2024. Questions abound regarding Babar's captaincy and the team's future direction. However, amidst the criticism, Australian power-hitting coach Shannon Young has emerged as a voice of support for the Pakistani star. Babar's performance at the World Cup was underwhelming, with scores of 44, 13, 33, and 32* across their matches. Pakistan's campaign ended after defeats to USA and India, followed by consolation victories against Canada and Ireland. These four points weren't enough to secure qualification for the Super 8 stage. Beyond results, concerns were raised about the team's fitness, form, and even disciplinary issues. Young, known for his work with Australian power-hitters like Glenn Maxwell and Fraser McGurk, acknowledges Babar Azam's world-class talent. He argues that a player of Babar's caliber would be revered in Australia. Young suggests that the immense expectations from Pakistani fans can be a burden for the players, turning into a negative force instead of a source of motivation.
When asked about Pakistan captain's strike rate Young, as quoted by Geo News, said:
“Babar Azam is well, he is a world-class player. If there was a player like Babar in Australia, we would have been supporting him instead of criticizing”.
"In Australia, we back them in and we say they've been world-class players, they're gonna be world-class players again. I think sometimes the passion tips over that these guys carry so much expectation through Pakistan's one of the best players in the world, he's gonna be fine," Young added.
Shannon Young remains optimistic about the possibility of touring Pakistan and bringing along young Australian players for training camps. This initiative aims to foster cricketing skills and build international camaraderie. In a notable interaction, Babar Azam met Young in Lahore. The Pakistan skipper sought the Australian coach's assistance to enhance his skills following a challenging T20 World Cup campaign. This collaboration underscores the mutual respect and shared objectives between the players and coaches of both nations. Meanwhile, Pakistan's white-ball coach Gary Kirsten has submitted his assessment of the disappointing World Cup performance. This report will be reviewed by Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chief Mohsin Naqvi. Naqvi plans to discuss the findings with several esteemed former players, including Shahid Afridi and Shoaib Akhtar. Based on these discussions, they will decide whether to continue with Babar as captain or opt for new leadership.
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