A confidential report by Pakistan’s white-ball coach Gary Kirsten is believed to have been the main purpose behind Babar Azam‘s resignation as captain of the each T20I and ODI groups.
The stunning revelation has stirred up controversy inside Pakistan cricket, with many, together with Yasir Arafat, now speculating on the true causes behind Babar Azam’s choice.
Pakistan’s sudden group-stage exit from the ICC T20 World Cup 2024, the place they suffered defeats in opposition to each co-hosts, the USA, and arch-rivals, India, had already raised eyebrows.
However the leak of Gary Kirsten’s report added gasoline to the hearth that he submitted to the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) proper after the 2024 T20 World Cup within the USA and Caribbean.
Babar Azam’s resignation linked to Gary Kirsten’s scathing report?
The report highlighted important management points underneath Babar Azam throughout Pakistan’s excursions and T20 World Cup 2024, questioning his skill to information the crew successfully underneath strain. Regardless of Babar Azam publicly stating that he stepped all the way down to give attention to his batting, many consider the reality is hidden.
Based on insiders, Gary Kirsten’s evaluation identified that Babar was a robust candidate for main Pakistan in ODIs, however his method to the fast-paced and high-pressure setting of T20 cricket was missing.
The essential evaluation reportedly really helpful a management change in T20I cricket, however Babar determined to go away the ODI captaincy as nicely.
Babar Azam’s choice to step away from each T20I and ODI captaincy got here simply three months after the World Cup debacle. He knowledgeable PCB officers of his resignation, however the former Pakistan pacer Arafat stated that the transfer was closely influenced by the findings of Kirsten’s report, which scrutinized his management model throughout key moments of Pakistan’s latest campaigns.
Kirsten’s suggestions result in Babar’s resignation as Pakistan captain: Yasir Arafat
Arafat hinted that the suggestions of the Pakistan cricket crew’s head coach have immediately impacted Babar’s choice to resign from his captaincy in white-ball cricket.
The confidential report recommended that the star batter might have felt detained by the mounting strain and scrutiny from each the Pakistan crew administration and the media.
Yasir Arafat was quoted as saying by Cricket Pakistan: “For those who keep in mind, after the tip of the T20 World Cup 2024, Gary Kirsten wrote a report. So, I believe, the suggestions he gave, particularly concerning Babar’s captaincy after analyzing his management in England and likewise within the World Cup, led to Babar’s resignation. Additionally, Kirsten had analyzed that Babar was not the proper candidate for Pakistan captaincy.”
Some media stories claimed that star wicketkeeper-batter Mohammad Rizwan could possibly be thought of as the following captain of the Pakistan white-ball cricket crew after Azam’s resignation.
Nevertheless, sources near Rizwan have clarified that there have been no formal conversations concerning the captaincy with the PCB to date.
Notably, the Pakistan crew is at the moment gearing up for the three-match Check sequence in opposition to England at dwelling.
This sequence is a part of the ICC World Check Championship 2023-25, and the matches might be held in Multan and Rawalpindi. The three checks might be held on October 7, 15, and 24, respectively.
