Babar Azam to be punished for 'mistakes', says Pakistan Cricket Board on T20 World Cup failure

After Pakistan's poor performance in the T20 World Cup 2024, Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Mohsin Naqvi has hinted at strong measures aimed at improving the national cricket team. Naqvi at an interaction with media discussed the future of Babar Azam's captaincy, accountability for selectors, and the enhancement of stadiums ahead of the ICC Champions Trophy in Pakistan, according to ARY News.

Naqvi emphasized that players who skip domestic cricket will be barred from participating in international matches. This announcement comes as part of a broader strategy to ensure that national commitments take precedence over participation in domestic leagues. Players seeking No Objection Certificates (NOCs) for leagues such as the Global T20 Canada, including notable stars like Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan, and Shaheen Afridi, could be denied these permissions due to upcoming Test series commitments, he said. Additionally, various fitness assessments, including the Yo-Yo test, have been made mandatory for players.

Addressing a recent incident involving star pacer Haris Rauf during the T20 World Cup, Naqvi revealed that the individual responsible for harassing Rauf has been reported to the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA). Furthermore, Naqvi confirmed that Shan Masood will continue as the captain for the upcoming Test series against Bangladesh.

Regarding Babar Azam's future as captain, Naqvi shared that he is consulting with former cricketers to determine the best course of action though no decision has been made yet. Babar Azam faced significant criticism following Pakistan's early exit from the T20 World Cup 2024, where the team failed to progress past the group stage after losses to the United States and India.

Naqvi mentioned receiving a report from head coach Gary Kirsten and assured that changes will be evident soon. Reflecting on his previous remarks about "surgery" within the team, he advised against making decisions in anger but acknowledged that those responsible for poor decisions within the selection committee will be held accountable. Discussions with head coach Gary Kirsten and assistant coach Azhar Mahmood have been initiated to analyze the team's performance comprehensively, he said.

The PCB chairman also addressed internal issues such as "grouping and politics" within the team and admitted that 'mistakes' were made by Babar Azam. A thorough review of the central contract, which will now include fitness as a criterion, is also on the agenda. Naqvi stressed that all players must meet the required fitness standards.