The recent performance of the Pakistan cricket team has become a cause for concern, following their elimination from the Asia Cup 2023 due to losses against India and Sri Lanka. This unexpected turn of events has led to intense deliberation among key figures within the team, including Pakistan's skipper, Babar Azam, Director Mickey Arthur, Chief Selector Inzamam-ul-Haq, and head coach Grant Bradburn, who are grappling with the persistent issue of players' fitness.
In light of the team's struggles, the selection committee is now contemplating the inclusion of new players while some senior members of the squad may find themselves at risk of losing their positions. Sources reveal that the selectors had previously formulated a tentative squad for the upcoming ICC World Cup 2023 in collaboration with the management. They even conveyed their decisions to the players without an official announcement.
However, the landscape has dramatically shifted with Pakistan's failure to reach the Asia Cup finals. Inzamam-ul-Haq, the Chief Selector, is deeply concerned about the team's losses and the significant injuries incurred by key players, notably Haris Rauf and Naseem Shah. Babar Azam has recently expressed apprehensions about Naseem's availability for the World Cup, as the talented pacer was sidelined from the Asia Cup due to a shoulder injury and 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. Babar Azam, in a recent statement, attributed the Asia Cup defeat to the team's bowlers, emphasizing the need for improved performance on the pitch.
To boost morale, the Chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), Zaka Ashraf, made a visit to the players at their hotel, but it seems that this gesture may have inadvertently heightened their stress levels. In response to these concerns, the Head of Integration and Technical Committee, Misbah-ul-Haq, and Inzamam-ul-Haq have decided to convene a meeting with the local selectors. The chief selector also intends to collaborate closely with Babar Azam, Mickey Arthur, and Grant Bradburn to implement necessary changes in an effort to revitalize the team's prospects