The recent loss against Sri Lanka in the ongoing Asia Cup 2023 has left Pakistan’s skipper, Babar Azam, deeply frustrated. The defeat has had far-reaching consequences, with Babar Azam’s actions in the aftermath of the game raising eyebrows.
Reports suggest that the aftermath of the game witnessed an angry outburst directed at his teammates in the dressing room, followed by a period of silence towards them at the team hotel. To make matters worse, Azam left Sri Lanka without informing his teammates after Pakistan’s exit from the Asia Cup.
His anger was evident, and it was a stark contrast to the smile he wore during the post-match presentation. In particular, he was upset with the performance of some of the players, leading to an emotionally charged atmosphere.
One notable incident was his heated spat with the ace pacer, Shaheen Shah Afridi. Fortunately, Mohammad Rizwan intervened to calm the situation down. This internal discord is a concerning development for Pakistan, especially with the ODI World Cup on the horizon.
It’s worth noting that Babar Azam had previously been supportive of his team, urging everyone not to be demotivated by individual performances. However, the loss to Sri Lanka seems to have changed his perspective drastically.
With no other bilateral series scheduled, Pakistan’s focus is squarely on preparing for the upcoming ODI World Cup in India. They have a limited amount of time for preparations, and any internal rifts could jeopardize their chances of winning the coveted trophy.
Despite being the number-one-ranked ODI team globally, Pakistan finished at the bottom of the table in the Super Four, which could have a demoralizing effect.
To ensure Pakistan’s success in the upcoming World Cup, both the team’s management and Babar Azam must address these issues promptly. A united and focused team will be crucial to their prospects, and resolving internal differences is paramount for the growth and success of Pakistan cricket.
As the clock ticks down to the World Cup, all eyes will be on how Pakistan navigates these challenges and whether they can regain their winning momentum.