The ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 has been nothing short of a rollercoaster ride, and one team that has left its fans worldwide in disappointment is Pakistan. With a track record that boasted tremendous potential and a rich cricketing heritage, Pakistan’s campaign in this World Cup has been underwhelming, to say the least.
Pakistan entered the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 with high hopes and expectations. They were considered as one of the formidable teams with a history of producing world-class cricketers. However, the reality on the ground was quite different. The team managed to secure just four victories out of the nine matches they played in the group stages.
The underwhelming performance in the World Cup has not gone unnoticed by passionate cricket fans in Pakistan. The nation, known for its unwavering support for its cricket team, has witnessed a surge in frustration and disappointment. Fans, who once had high hopes for the team, are now demanding answers and accountability.
The discontent is not limited to just the fans; former cricketers and experts have also joined the chorus, advocating for substantial changes in the Pakistan cricket team. The need for a fresh approach, both in terms of strategy and selection, is evident.
One of the most significant points of contention in Pakistan’s World Cup campaign has been the leadership of Babar Azam. Babar, who was hailed as one of the finest modern-day cricketers, faced immense criticism for his captaincy.
Critics argue that Babar’s leadership on the field has been lackluster, to say the least. A leader’s role is not just about individual performance but also about uniting the team and making strategic decisions. Babar’s captaincy seemed to falter in this regard, leading to calls for a change in leadership.
Babar Azam’s performance with the bat, an area where he had consistently excelled in the past, was also far from impressive. In the 2023 World Cup, he managed to accumulate 320 runs in nine games, including four half-centuries. However, these runs were not impactful enough to steer Pakistan to victory in crucial matches.
Shahid Afridi Criticises Babar Azam As Pakistan’s Leader
Shahid Afridi believes that Babar Azam hasn’t developed into a leader despite his nation supporting and backing him for a long time. He failed to develop into a leader, even when there was no pressure on him. Younis Khan, a legendary cricketer and former captain of Pakistan, has been held up as an example of true leadership by Shahid Afridi. He argues that Younis Khan’s leadership was characterized by his ability to consult with the team and make collective decisions.
Afridi said: “People are saying that I am criticising Babar. He is like my elder brother. He was given three-four years to learn about captaincy and improve as a leader. We all supported him and there was no pressure from anywhere. However, he failed. A leader takes everyone along and not just two or three players. Younis Khan was a leader and he never took any decision without discussing with us.”
Pakistan’s campaign in the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 has certainly been a rollercoaster of emotions for fans. The underwhelming performance, leadership issues, and the need for significant changes in the team have all come to the forefront. The future of Pakistan cricket hinges on addressing these concerns, and it is essential to take lessons from this World Cup to rebuild and revitalize the team’s performance.
Babar Azam is the captain of Pakistan team since four year, we all support him during that time but he could not improve in this period and could not prove him as a good leader: Shahid Afridi @SAfridiOfficial pic.twitter.com/dENpW66264
— ٰImran Siddique (@imransiddique89) November 13, 2023
