Pakistan skipper Babar Azam’s highly anticipated start to the 2024 T20 World Cup turned sour as his team suffered a shock defeat against the United States of America (USA) in their opening match. The clash, held at the Grand Prairie Cricket Stadium in Dallas, Texas, saw Pakistan falter in a dramatic Super Over finish, marking a disappointing beginning to their campaign.
Despite Azam’s valiant effort, scoring 44 runs off 43 deliveries, Pakistan was unable to capitalize on his performance due to a lack of support from the other top-order batters. The team found itself in dire straits early in the innings, reduced to 26-3 by the fifth over. Although they managed to recover somewhat and post a competitive total of 159, the overall performance was riddled with flaws.
Azam did not hold back in his post-match assessment, candidly critiquing his team’s performance. “First six overs, we couldn’t capitalize. After that, we picked up momentum, but lost wickets in a flurry, which was a setback and also couldn’t put up partnerships at crucial junctures. We weren’t up to the mark in the first six overs with the ball. We tried to come back, but we couldn’t finish,” he remarked during the presentation ceremony.
The frustration was evident on Azam’s face throughout the match, particularly in the final stages. Pakistan’s seam bowlers struggled to make significant inroads, managing only three wickets in the entire match. The climax saw Haris Rauf conceding two crucial boundaries in the last three balls of the Super Over, squandering what seemed like a winnable situation for Pakistan.
Azam’s visible disappointment and critical remarks sparked a debate about leadership and handling team morale in challenging times. Former Indian cricketer Dinesh Karthik commented on Azam’s approach, emphasizing the need for diplomacy.
“As a leader, you have to find ways to be diplomatic in press conferences and post-match ceremonies. Somehow, find a way to back your players. Inside the four walls, in the dressing room, you can say what you want and have a go at a few people, but you need to find a way to back those players,” Karthik said on Cricbuzz.
Karthik further noted the importance of maintaining positive body language on the field. “The way he has conducted himself on the field, where he is having a go at the bowlers when boundaries go, is not a sign of a good leader. Showing disappointment is fine, but there is a way to show it, where the players do not get more nervous than they are already on the field,” he added.
The defeat and Azam’s subsequent reactions bring to light the broader issues plaguing the Pakistan cricket team. The team has undergone significant changes following their exit from the 2023 ODI World Cup, including leadership shifts with Azam reinstated as captain after a brief hiatus. This instability, exacerbated by ongoing turmoil within the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), has affected the team’s performance and morale.
“With all the turmoil that happens thanks to the board, I think they have been really unsettled as a unit and the results are showing,” Karthik observed, highlighting the detrimental impact of administrative chaos on the players. He pointed out the struggles of key players like Shadab Khan and Shaheen Afridi, who have been inconsistent due to the lack of stability within the team structure.
Looking ahead, Pakistan faces a formidable challenge as they prepare to take on arch-rivals India at the Nassau County International Cricket Stadium in New York on Sunday, June 9. This high-stakes match will be crucial for Pakistan to bounce back and regain their footing in the tournament. Azam and his team will need to address their shortcomings swiftly and present a united front to overcome the pressure and expectations that come with such a marquee clash.
