The recent performance of the Pakistan cricket team has become a cause forconcern, following their elimination from the Asia Cup 2023 due to lossesagainst India and Sri Lanka. This unexpected turn of events has led tointense deliberation among key figures within the team, includingPakistan’s skipper, Babar Azam, Director Mickey Arthur, Chief SelectorInzamam-ul-Haq, and head coach Grant Bradburn, who are grappling with thepersistent issue of players’ fitness.
In light of the team’s struggles, the selection committee is nowcontemplating the inclusion of new players while some senior members of thesquad may find themselves at risk of losing their positions. Sources revealthat the selectors had previously formulated a tentative squad for theupcoming ICC World Cup 2023 in collaboration with the management. They evenconveyed their decisions to the players without an official announcement.
However, the landscape has dramatically shifted with Pakistan’s failure toreach the Asia Cup finals. Inzamam-ul-Haq, the Chief Selector, is deeplyconcerned about the team’s losses and the significant injuries incurred bykey players, notably Haris Rauf and Naseem Shah. Babar Azam has recentlyexpressed apprehensions about Naseem’s availability for the World Cup, asthe talented pacer was sidelined from the Asia Cup due to a shoulder injuryand has been advised to rest before the global tournament.
Furthermore, the vice-captain, Shadab Khan, and the batter, Fakhar Zaman,are struggling to find their form, adding to the team’s challenges. BabarAzam, in a recent statement, attributed the Asia Cup defeat to the team’sbowlers, emphasizing the need for improved performance on the pitch.
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To boost morale, the Chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), ZakaAshraf, made a visit to the players at their hotel, but it seems that thisgesture may have inadvertently heightened their stress levels. In responseto these concerns, the Head of Integration and Technical Committee,Misbah-ul-Haq, and Inzamam-ul-Haq have decided to convene a meeting withthe local selectors. The chief selector also intends to collaborate closelywith Babar Azam, Mickey Arthur, and Grant Bradburn to implement necessarychanges in an effort to revitalize the team’s prospects