ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s cricket captain, Babar Azam, is under intense pressure and facing scrutiny after the national team’s exit from the ICC World Cup, failing to secure a spot in the semi-finals for the second consecutive tournament. The disappointment was solidified by a 93-run loss to England, sealing Pakistan’s fate and dashing their already slim hopes of advancing.
Former captain and ex-chairman of the cricket board, Ramiz Raja, described the 29-year-old Azam as “depressed” amid the reactions back home. Fans’ frustration was heightened by the contrasting success of arch-rivals India, who secured eight wins out of eight, becoming the first team to reach the semi-finals.
Pakistan endured a challenging World Cup campaign, losing five of their nine games, including a major defeat to India and an unexpected loss to Afghanistan. Azam, who made 320 runs in the tournament with four fifties at an average of 40, remains the world’s second-highest-ranked batter, boasting nearly 13,000 runs in all international cricket.
However, questions were raised about Azam’s captaincy during the tournament, particularly regarding accusations of lacking aggression in field settings. Team director Mickey Arthur expressed support for Azam, emphasizing that the young captain is still learning and needs time to grow.
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“We have to allow him the time to grow. And in order to do that, you make mistakes. It’s not a crime to make mistakes as long as you learn from those mistakes,” Arthur stated.
Despite the disappointment and criticism at home, Azam and his team found sympathy in India, where they played for the first time in seven years. However, visa complications and security measures meant the team was virtually confined to their hotel rooms when not playing or training.
Ramiz Raja suggested that Azam might be the first casualty in a cricketing environment often plagued by internal conflicts, stating, “There’s so much pressure on him that he may leave the job.”
Backlash from the media in Pakistan has targeted certain players, with Raja pointing out that the team has the potential to play modern-day cricket but has been perceived as shy and timid in their approach.
