PAK team split into 3 groups, leading to shock T20 WC exit: Sources

Pakistan’s surprise exit from the T20 World Cup is being blamed on ‘groupings’ within the team and non-performance of senior players during critical times and it could lead to ‘major changes’ not only in the team but also within the PCB. According to Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) sources, Babar Azam’s biggest challenge during his return as captain was to unite the team, but he could not do that due to regrouping.

Shaheen Shah Afridi was upset over losing the captaincy and Babar did not support him when needed while Muhammad Rizwan was upset over not being considered for the captaincy.

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“There are three groups in the team, one led by Babar Azam, the second by Shaheen Shaheen Afridi and the third by Muhammad Rizwan. Add to this mix the return of seniors like Muhammad Aamir and Imad Wasim and the recipe was ready for a World Cup disaster,” a source close to the team told PTI.

“The return of Imad and Amir added to the confusion as it was difficult for Babar to get interesting performances from the two as they had not played top-level domestic or international cricket for a long time , except in franchise-based leagues.

“There were even cases where some players did not talk to each other and some of them even tried to appease all the group leaders of the team,” the source added.

A senior PCB official said that chairman Mohsin Naqvi was well aware of the team’s problems even before the World Cup and was briefed by his right-hand man, national selector and principal director, Wahab Riaz.

“Naqvi held two meetings with all the players in private and gave them pep talks asking them to put their problems aside and focus on winning the World Cup. He would then clear all doubts from the team, but apparently things didn’t work out.

“I’m not defending Babar, but what is a captain supposed to do when your opening bowler can’t even defend 15 runs in the final against a weak USA team and concedes a boundary and a six off full tosses.

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“Or when a versatile player who came out of retirement to help win the World Cup remains absent due to fitness issues.”

The role of outside elements, notably player agents and some former players who led campaigns on social networks, also did not help to ease latent tensions within the team.

Naqvi has now hinted at changes in the national team, but another informed source has made it clear that changes will now also be made within the cricket board.

“The president will obviously clean up the team, but he has already started a process of evaluating the performance of senior and mid-level board employees,” the source said.

“You will now see major changes within the team and board leadership,” he said.

“Naqvi himself is facing problems as he is not the ruling government’s choice to head the board. He is also facing criticism for the WC debacle and there are also calls for his head,” said another PCB source.

Several reliable sources have also confirmed that Naqvi will not immediately appoint Babar Azam as captain as Pakistan will now play their next white-ball series in November.

“The only good thing for Naqvi is that Pakistan now have two home Test series against Bangladesh and England and with Shan Masood already Test captain and a new head coach in Jason Gillispie and he doesn’t don’t have to worry about immediate changes.

Usually in Pakistan, a failure in the Cricket World Cup means heads roll and the board tends to look for scapegoats, but this time even cricket fans and critics are pushing the PCB to take action to stop the team from falling.

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