‘Missing Babar as a captain’ – Fans react to new faces in Pakistan cricket after ODI World Cup 2023
Shaheen Afridi (Source: Twitter)
Not many things have gone right with Pakistan in the last 3-4 months. Everything seemed fine before the Asia Cup 2023. Since then, Pakistan has been suffering humiliation one after the other. The first setback for Pakistan was Naseem Shah getting injured, which led to him getting ruled out of the Asia Cup 2023 and ODI World Cup 2023. It started a chain reaction that led to several upsets on the Asian Side.
Pakistan could not qualify for the final of the Asia Cup 2023. In the ODI World Cup 2023, Pakistan could not perform well, as they did not qualify for the playoff stage of the tournament. In the tournament, Pakistan lost five matches, including four in a row against teams like India, Australia, Afghanistan, and South Africa. While the on-field saga was tough for Pakistan, off the field they faced huge embarrassments.
Babar Azam was criticized for his captaincy. Inzamam-ul-Haq stepped down as the chief selector, as he was found to have stakes in one of the organizations that was directly related to the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB). After Pakistan was eliminated from the tournament, more shocks followed for the fans. The biggest of them was Babar stepping down from the captaincy of the team.
New personnel to take Pakistan forward
Morne Morkel stepped down as the bowling coach of Pakistan. The cricket board of the country sacked the entire selection committee. It seemed like PCB aimed for a total revamp. Hence, they elected new people to take them forward. The first announcement came in the form of an announcement of their new captains. Shan Masood and Shaheen Afridi were named as the new captains of Pakistan in Tests and T20Is respectively.
PCB later announced some of its other personnel. Wahab Riaz was appointed the new chief selector. Mohammad Hafeez was named the new head coach and director of operations. PCB has also announced new bowling coaches. The former world champions named Umar Gul and Saeed Ajmal as fast and spin bowling coaches of the team respectively. The entire panel is set to function for the next series against Australia.
Here’s how the fans reacted to it –
Pakistan should Stop playing cricket..they are wasting money of Pakistan..
— भाई साहब (@Bhai_saheb) November 21, 2023
Agar politics na ki jaye to panel behtreen hai yeh
— Haider. (@Notyourhaider_) November 21, 2023
even if the entire country changes, they wouldn’t produce any wins because lack of skills and over hype performances and arrogance
— Raj Paladi (@IamRajPaladi) November 21, 2023
Saeed Ajmal coach kise karega waise?? Ek full time spinner to hai nahi inke paas.
— Dhaarmik (@DhaarmikAi) November 21, 2023
We want Saeed Ajmal as a spin bowler in the team 😭😭😭
— Aamir Mumtaz🌟👑💙 (@thisisaamiir) November 21, 2023
Baaki sab theek hai par Saeed Ajmal ka koi English interview mat lena!!!
— Dhaarmik (@DhaarmikAi) November 21, 2023
Pakistan cricket at this usual routine.. Politics inside.
— Zohaib (@zohaib_talks) November 21, 2023
It’s total change over.
— Narendra Maurya (@narendra483) November 21, 2023
But I know the results in Australia.
Pakistan going white wash 💯— Surinder (@navsurani) November 21, 2023
Idk but I’m missing babar as a captain 💔
— مونہ (@misstherapist_) November 21, 2023
