Babar Azam's sacking on cards? Mohsin Naqvi summons Gary Kirsten as PCB set to review coach's explosive report
Published - 08 Jul 2024, 06:36 PM | Updated - 23 Aug 2024, 01:15 AM
Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Mohsin Naqvi has called Pakistan's white-ball head coach Gary Kirsten for a meeting to discuss the team's poor performance in the T20 World Cup 2024. In the meeting, they are likely to discuss the report sent by Gary Kirsten to the chairman after Pakistan's early elimination.
It is also believed that Babar Azam's future as Pakistan's captain will also be discussed in the meeting. Pakistan were knocked out of the group stage of the T20 World Cup 2024 after the team's defeats to the USA and India in their first two games.
The Men in Green went on to win their next two games against Canada and Ireland but found themselves one point short of the USA. As a result, Pakistan were eliminated and the USA created history by qualifying for the Super 8 stage from Group A along with the eventual champions India.
Mohsin Naqvi calls Gary Kirsten for a meeting
Last week, head coach Gary Kirsten and chief selector Wahab Riaz submitted their tour reports to the chairman Mohsin Naqvi. The report involves the players' discipline, fitness, game awareness, and many more things.
According to Geo News, Mohsin Naqvi would review the report that was submitted by Gary Kirsten. In the meeting, Babar Azam's future as Pakistan's captain would be discussed as well. Babar is currently Pakistan's captain for the ODI and T20I formats while Shan Masood is Pakistan's Test captain.
After Pakistan's early elimination from T20 World Cup, Babar Azam's captaincy has come under scrutiny and many former cricketers and experts have lashed out and questioned his leadership skills.
Last week, Mohsin Naqvi opened up about Babar Azam's future as Pakistan captain and claimed that a decision will be taken only after consulting the country's former cricketers and head coach Gary Kirsten.
"There is, however, no decision taken so far related to Babar Azam. I'm only speaking to those former cricketers who are interested in the betterment of Pakistan cricket," Mohsin Naqvi was quoted as saying by Geo News.
Babar Azam is third-highest run-getter in T20Is
Babar Azam was Pakistan's highest run-scorer in T20 World Cup 2024 with 122 runs in 4 matches. But his strike rate of just 101.66 has become a point of discussion lately as his ability to survive in modern-day T20 cricket has been questioned.
In 123 T20Is, Babar Azam has scored 4145 runs at an average of 41.03 and a strike rate of 129.08. He is currently the third-highest run-getter in T20Is, just behind Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli. However, his ability to score quick runs has been under the scanner.
Pakistan's next international assignment is in November when they tour Australia for an ODI and a T20I series. Thus, they have ample time to make any changes in the team. However with the Champions Trophy 2025 to be hosted by Pakistan next year, PCB needs to make a quick decision regarding the team's betterment.
