Recent reports suggest ongoing turmoil in Pakistan cricket, with Babar Azam potentially being dismissed again as captain. The musical chairs of captaincy may see Mohammad Rizwan stepping in as the new leader in white-ball formats.
Pakistan’s cricket performance has been underwhelming, stretching from the ODI World Cup 2023 to the 2024 T20 World Cup. This period has been marked by frequent leadership changes, with Azam being reinstated as the white-ball captain only weeks after his initial removal.
A report from Cricket Pakistan indicates further shifts may be imminent, proposing Rizwan as a possible captain for all formats.
The national sentiment plummeted following a six-wicket defeat to Bangladesh in the second Test at Rawalpindi, culminating in a 2-0 series sweep. This loss extends Pakistan’s troubling streak to ten consecutive home Tests without a victory, an alarming trend for a team that once dominated on home soil.
Wasim Akram, a former Pakistan captain and legendary fast bowler, expressed deep concern. “Our cricket is at a crossroads,” he told AFP, highlighting the embarrassment and confusion over the team’s inability to capitalize on favourable positions.
The recent defeats add to disappointing performances, including losses to Afghanistan and the USA in the ODI and T20 World Cups. Moreover, Pakistan’s recent Test record at home features six defeats and four draws, including a historic 3-0 series sweep by England in 2022.
With England scheduled to visit in October for three Tests starting in Multan, Pakistan faces formidable challenges. The country also suffered several defeats in its recent tour of Australia.
