The Pakistan cricket team is set to return to action next month with a two-match Test series against Bangladesh, marking their first appearance since their disappointing exit from the 2024 T20 World Cup in the initial round. Following their early departure from the tournament, reports emerged of internal discord, notably involving Shaheen Afridi, who faced accusations of misconduct from the coaching staff.
This turmoil was swiftly followed by the removal of former cricketers Wahab Riaz and Abdul Razzaq from the selection committee, signaling a potential overhaul within the team’s management structure.
In response to these challenges, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is reportedly considering significant reforms, including the mandatory participation of players in domestic cricket—a move aimed at fostering accountability and enhancing the development pipeline.
Ubaid Shah is the real deal, amazing wrist & great pace. Hopefully his development continues smoothly.
Consistently hitting great areas against both Babar Azam & Fakhar Zaman.
Islamabad United have a gem. pic.twitter.com/nP7ve4ocvS
— Raz Khan (@razkhan789) July 17, 2024
Amidst these developments, a video surfaced showing Pakistan’s white-ball captain Babar Azam and top-order batsman Fakhar Zaman engaged in a net session with promising young fast bowler Ubaid Shah. Ubaid, the 18-year-old sibling of star bowler Naseem Shah, impressed with his wrist skills and pace, posing a challenging test for the seasoned batsmen during the practice session.
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During the T20 World Cup, Pakistan, led by Babar, faced setbacks against USA and India, managing only a solitary victory over Canada before exiting the tournament prematurely. The team struggled with their batting form, highlighted by Babar’s top-scoring performance of 122 runs across four innings at a strike rate of 101.66.
Fakhar, on the other hand, struggled to find form, accumulating just 33 runs from his four innings at a strike rate of 110. In the midst of these developments, reports surfaced suggesting that PCB chief Mohsin Naqvi has been advised against making drastic changes to the team structure.
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According to sources, Naqvi is cautious about avoiding confrontations with senior players and is being counseled against implementing sweeping changes that could destabilize the team further. These developments set the stage for a crucial period for Pakistan cricket, as they look to address internal challenges and prepare for the upcoming Test series against Bangladesh with a renewed focus on performance and unity.
