The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is reportedly considering significant changes in the leadership of the national cricket team ahead of the upcoming Australia tour.
According to sources, PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi will lead a high-level “Connection Camp” meeting on September 22 to discuss the future direction of the team.
Key figures expected to attend include head coaches Jason Gillespie and Gary Kirsten, along with senior cricketers, coaches, and officials.
One of the primary topics of discussion will be the future of current white-ball captain Babar Azam. Reports suggest that Babar is likely to be replaced before the Australia series. Similarly, Test captain Shan Masood’s leadership will also be reviewed due to his recent performance struggles.
The PCB is reportedly exploring multiple options for a new captain to lead the team on the Australian tour. Several names are under consideration as potential candidates for this crucial role.
Performance Issues Prompt Leadership Review
This leadership overhaul comes on the heels of Pakistan’s recent whitewash by Bangladesh in a two-match Test series held in Rawalpindi. Shan Masood, the current Test captain, faced severe criticism following the team’s poor performance, while Babar Azam also faced scrutiny for his lack of significant contributions during the series.
Shan Masood was appointed Test captain after Babar Azam relinquished the role following Pakistan’s participation in the ODI World Cup 2023 in India. Although Babar returned as the white-ball captain, Shan was trusted with leading the Test side.
However, under Shan Masood’s leadership, Pakistan’s red-ball performance has been far from satisfactory. The team lost all five of its matches under his captaincy, including a 3-0 defeat by Australia and a 0-2 loss to Bangladesh.
Pakistan’s dismal performance has seen the team drop to eighth place in the ICC Test Team Rankings, marking their lowest position since 1965.
As the PCB evaluates its options, the upcoming meeting will be critical in shaping the future leadership of Pakistan cricket. The new captain, if appointed, will have the challenging task of rebuilding confidence and guiding the team through their Australian tour.
