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Pakistan Eyes Turnaround with Overhaul Ahead of T20 World Cup
Pakistan’s reputation as formidable opponents in major cricket tournaments remains intact, but their journey towards reclaiming the Twenty20 World Cup title has encountered turbulence following a series of radical changes in recent months.
A lackluster performance in the 50-over World Cup in India last year, where the team failed to advance beyond the group stage after suffering five defeats in nine matches, prompted Babar Azam to relinquish captaincy across all formats.
Pacer Shaheen Afridi assumed leadership of the T20 squad, but Pakistan suffered a humbling 4-1 defeat in New Zealand in January, prompting Babar’s return as white-ball captain. Despite managing a 2-2 draw against the same opponents at home, concerns lingered.
“I have always valued Shaheen’s insights as a captain, and I will continue to seek his counsel for crucial decisions,” Babar remarked. “Our mutual goal is to elevate this team to global supremacy.”
Following a disheartening loss to Ireland, Pakistan redeemed themselves with a 2-1 series win in Dublin before facing England in a rain-affected four-match series, where newly appointed coach Gary Kirsten took charge for the first time.
Kirsten’s arrival marked one of the significant changes in the Pakistani setup, alongside the appointments of Simon Helmot as fielding coach and David Reid as mental performance coach, as the team gears up for the T20 World Cup scheduled from June 1st to 29th in the West Indies and the United States.
Among Kirsten’s priorities is streamlining training methods, following a boot camp in a military academy in March and April that preceded a spate of injuries, sidelining players like Azam Khan, Mohammad Rizwan, and Irfan Niazi.
Despite the challenges, Kirsten remains optimistic about Pakistan’s prospects. “These are exciting times for Pakistan cricket, with a rejuvenated setup and players eager to deliver,” expressed Kirsten, drawing from his experience of guiding India to World Cup glory in 2011.
“The upcoming T20 World Cup presents a golden opportunity for us to showcase our talents and uphold Pakistan’s legacy as a cricketing powerhouse. However, success hinges on collective effort, meticulous planning, and unwavering support for one another.”
Pakistan recently finalized their 15-member squad for the tournament, with pacer Haris Rauf returning from a shoulder injury. Additionally, Abrar Ahmed, Azam Khan, Mohammad Abbas Afridi, Saim Ayub, and Usman Khan earned their maiden T20 World Cup call-ups, adding depth to the experienced roster.
Pakistan finds themselves in Group A of the World Cup, commencing their campaign against the US on June 6th, followed by a highly-anticipated clash against arch-rivals India three days later. As the cricketing world awaits these showdowns, Pakistan remains determined to navigate the challenges and emerge triumphant on the grand stage of the T20 World Cup.
