Friday Nov 15, 2024
Friday Nov 15, 2024
Tuesday, 18 June 2024 00:03 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
If Babar Azam’s tournament-concluding press conference is anything to go by, Pakistan is gearing itself to face tough questions about what went wrong at the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup.
The Asian powerhouse missed qualification for the Super Eight stage off the back of costly defeats to the United States and India – both of which were closely-fought contests.
They saved face, to some extent, finishing the tournament with wins over Canada and Ireland. But that hasn’t spared the team, and their captain, of some criticism.
“As much as you (all) are disappointed, we are more disappointed,” Babar said following a translation from Urdu after Pakistan’s win over Ireland.
“It’s not that we lost because of one person… (but) as a team we lost.”
While Babar’s position as captain is sure to face some scrutiny, the skipper suggested he was not in a position to decide whether he would continue in that role going forward.
“I have not thought about it (yet),” Babar continued.
“When I go back (to Pakistan), we will discuss all the things that happened here. When they gave (the captaincy) back to me, it was the (PBC’s) decision. The decision is theirs.”
While Babar took responsibility, he noted that his entire squad needs to focus on being better in the moments that matter.
The margin between success and failure for Pakistan at the World Cup was razor thin – they lost in a Super Over to the USA and fell an agonising six runs short of India’s total.
“There are 11 players and each of them has a role,” Babar also admitted.
“I cannot play in every player’s place. I think we as a team have not been able to apply, follow and finish things. We have to settle down and accept that we didn’t play well as a team. It’s the fault of all the 15 players. We didn’t execute. We will sit and talk about it.”
Pakistan cricket legend Wasim Akram has pleaded that the PCB doesn’t overreact to the results at this tournament.
“You can’t change seven or eight players,” Wasim told the ICC’s Digital Daily show.
“No drastic changes straight away, I don’t think so. Maybe two (or) three players, get some youngsters into the middle-order and make sure you stick with them for a year. Then you can say, ‘at least we’re building a team for the (ICC Men’s) Champions Trophy’ that’s happening next year in Pakistan.”
Babar has confirmed he will offer involvement, as the Pakistan administration unpacks the team’s campaign.
“I will give my feedback, that is my responsibility as a captain… and (we) will see what will happens. We all made a mistake,” he added.
