Babar Azam, Pakistan’s captain, found himself in the spotlight once again over the lack of trophy wins. This came up during a press conference just hours prior to the team’s departure for Dublin, located at the Gaddafi Stadium. The focus? They’re off to Ireland’s capital to compete in three Twenty20 Internationals against the home team from May 10-14. Following that, Babar and the team will play four matches in England from May 22-30. Then it’s off they go to Dallas, U.S. to participate in the T20 World Cup. This event will take place in the U.S. and the Caribbean in June.
Pakistan barely missed grabbing the T20 trophy during the last event in Australia in 2022—England bested them. Under Babar’s command, the team had a history of falling just short of victory; they fell in the semi-finals of an earlier T20. A few months prior, Sri Lanka knocked them out of the T20 Asia Cup. Their 50-over World Cup journey to India didn’t go much better.
Babar hopes to move beyond old history. He admits, “Though our previous goals were the same – winning the trophy, we fell short,”. However, he confidently adds, “Now, our confidence is doubled and we believe this time will be different.” There have been critical changes in the Pakistani team in the last six months. Babar was initially not the captain post the 50-over World Cup. Then, the role was entrusted to the quick bowler, Shaheen Shah Afridi for the T20s. But, ahead of the recent matches, Babar was reselected as the white-ball captain by the national cricket board.
The leadership of the Pakistan Cricket Board, helmed by Mohsin Naqvi, successfully persuaded experienced players Imad Wasim and Mohammad Amir to take back their decisions to retire internationally. This move was particularly geared towards the upcoming T20 World Cup. The PCB then enlisted Gary Kirsten as the new head coach for Pakistan’s cricket team. However, the South African will team up with the squad prior to touring England. Until then, Azhar Mahmood, acting as Kirsten’s second-in-command, will guide the support team.
Babar has a refurbished seven-person selection committee, orchestrated by Mohsin. This panel has added several players, Amir and Imad included. Fast bowler Haris Rauf is also back, recovered from injury. This enhances the choices at Babar’s fingertips. Each team member, Babar thought, was picked following a thoughtful talk among the selectors – Babar included, and the coach of Pakistan’s team.
“This is an unbeatable team blend (across all sectors),” said the Pakistan skipper. “Every team member is chosen based on their usefulness. Even I can’t help but feel we’re spoilt with options, especially for fast bowlers with the addition of Mohammad Amir.” The Pakistan leader’s recent encounter with Haris at the Pakistan training camp before the British Isles tour — which finished Monday — has made him optimistic about Pakistan’s chance in the T20 World Cup.
Babar Azam, the 29-year-old, noticed that Haris showed determination at training camp. After recovering from an injury he got during the Pakistan Super League earlier this year, Haris seemed eager and ready. “Sometimes, time away from cricket can actually bring new energy. It refreshes both mind and body, making you more eager to play,” Babar explained about Haris.
Kirsten hasn’t joined the Pakistan team camp yet, but she’s in contact with the players. She’s also wrapping up Gujrat Titans’ Indian Premier League season. Babar, the team’s captain, mentioned he is prepared to heed the main coach’s advice to improve the team.
“Should Gary Kristen consider altering the batting line-up, it’ll be thoroughly evaluated for the team’s benefit. All players, myself included, won’t get egoistic”, he acknowledged, hoping that Kirsten will join soon. Pakistan tested new players like Usman Khan and Irfan Khan Niazi during their recent five-match T20I series against New Zealand. They aimed to tackle their middle-order issues.
Usman, Irfan, and Azam Khan will be on the squad for Ireland and England series, even though Azam wasn’t in the games against the BlackCaps due to an injury. Babar hints that it’s likely they’ll stick with the same players given the quick approach of the T20 World Cup. Babar indicated that they’re going to give the most opportunities to those players who are primary picks for the 15-member World Cup team. He noted that they’re not planning for more rotation adjustments.
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Early Tuesday, the Pakistan squad left for Dublin. Amir, however, didn’t join the team. His visa was still being processed. Alongside this, a ceremony took place on Monday. It was to unveil Pakistan’s T20 World Cup jersey. Babar, Shaheen, Naseem Shah, and Mohammad Rizwan showed up. They all sported the new “Matrix Jersey”.