The Babar Azam-led Pakistan once again had a forgettable campaign at the T20 World Cup 2024 after they were knocked out of the tournament from the group stage. The Men in Green, who faced defeats at the hands of T20 World Cup 2024 debutants and co-hosts USA and arch-rivals Team India, they failed to finish among the top two of Group A standings.
This dismal performance at the biennial tournament did not rest well among the fans as well as the former cricketers and pundits alike. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) also received backlash for falling back on former cricketers who overturned their retirement to feature in the tournament, rather than preferring young players. Among many was former Pakistan cricketer Shoaib Malik.
The 42-year-old, who retired from ODI cricket in 2019, told PNN news, “I want to represent the Pakistan team again. I am available for the Champions Trophy. I will try my best for my country. I want to win the Champions Trophy for Pakistan.”
Pakistan has the hosting rights for the next ICC event, that is the Champions Trophy, which will be played in February 2025. However, the schedule for the ICC event is yet to be announced with the BCCI yet to confirm on Team India’s participation.
PCB to sack players from central contract after T20 World Cup 2024 debacle: Reports
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has reportedly decided to sack players from their central contracts after the side got knocked out from the T20 World Cup 2024 in the group stage. The PCB has undergone several major changes in recent months and after three Chairmen have been replaced, the governing body has decided to sack players from central contracts after their below-par performance in the tournament.
A PCB source was quoted by NDTV as saying, “The board is likely to return to the old system of having a chief selector with two or three selectors and the captain and head coach not sitting in selection meetings with the selectors.”