New Delhi: In light of Pakistan’s recent string of lackluster performances, both in general and specifically during the 2023 ODI World Cup, significant leadership changes were made within the team. Babar Azam was relieved of his duties as the captain of Pakistan’s white-ball cricket team, and the reins were handed over to the fast bowler Shaheen Shah Afridi. However, after a period of six months, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) decided to reinstate Babar Azam as the captain ahead of the 2024 T20 World Cup.

Pakistan’s campaign in the 2024 T20 World Cup did not live up to expectations, leaving both fans and players, including Babar Azam himself, deeply disappointed. Imad Wasim, an all-rounder who was part of the squad, expressed his surprise at Babar Azam’s reinstatement as captain. In an interview, Imad Wasim remarked, “Yes, I was surprised. Ultimately, it’s the selector’s decision. They chose what they believed was best for the team.”

Imad further elaborated on the general sentiment in Pakistan, saying, “Everybody in Pakistan was surprised, not just me. So, I can’t deny that I was taken aback by the decision.”

Reflecting on the team’s underwhelming performance in the T20 World Cup, he admitted, “Our performance wasn’t up to the mark. We have to accept that, including myself. We had a strong squad, but things just didn’t click. This can happen in any format, especially in T20 cricket. It was disappointing and took a long time to come to terms with.”

Further developments saw Babar Azam being omitted from the list of captains for the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy 2025 by the Pakistan Cricket Board. Reports suggest that his leadership skills are currently under scrutiny, and there is speculation that he might be permanently removed from his role as Pakistan’s white-ball captain.

Looking ahead to future management changes within the Pakistan Cricket Team, it is anticipated that a new captain will be appointed for their forthcoming tour of Australia. Reports indicate that white-ball head coach Gary Kirsten has already engaged in discussions with PCB officials as early as July. Mohammad Rizwan is emerging as a strong candidate to succeed Babar Azam as the white-ball skipper and potentially lead Pakistan in all three formats moving forward.

These changes signal a transformative period for Pakistan cricket, focusing on addressing past performance issues and building a resilient team for future international competitions.