A confidential report by Pakistan’s white-ball coach Gary Kirsten is believed to have been the main cause 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 resolution.
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 vital management points beneath Babar Azam throughout Pakistan’s excursions and T20 World Cup 2024, questioning his capability to information the group successfully beneath stress. Regardless of Babar Azam publicly stating that he stepped right down to concentrate on his batting, many imagine the reality is hidden.
In line with insiders, Gary Kirsten’s evaluation identified that Babar was a powerful candidate for main Pakistan in ODIs, however his method to the fast-paced and high-pressure setting of T20 cricket was missing.
The crucial evaluation reportedly beneficial a management change in T20I cricket, however Babar determined to go away the ODI captaincy as nicely.
Babar Azam’s resolution 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 current campaigns.
Kirsten’s suggestions result in Babar’s resignation as Pakistan captain: Yasir Arafat
Arafat hinted that the suggestions of the Pakistan cricket group’s head coach have instantly impacted Babar’s resolution to resign from his captaincy in white-ball cricket.
The confidential report instructed that the star batter could have felt detained by the mounting stress and scrutiny from each the Pakistan group administration and the media.
Yasir Arafat was quoted as saying by Cricket Pakistan: “If you happen to bear 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 right candidate for Pakistan captaincy.”
Some media reviews claimed that star wicketkeeper-batter Mohammad Rizwan might be thought-about as the following captain of the Pakistan white-ball cricket group after Azam’s resignation.
Nonetheless, sources near Rizwan have clarified that there have been no formal conversations concerning the captaincy with the PCB up to now.
Notably, the Pakistan group is presently gearing up for the three-match Take a look at sequence in opposition to England at dwelling.
This sequence is a part of the ICC World Take a look at Championship 2023-25, and the matches can be held in Multan and Rawalpindi. The three assessments can be held on October 7, 15, and 24, respectively.
