PCB chief Mohsin Naqvi summons Gary Kirsten to mull over Babar Azam's captaincy after Pakistan's dismal T20 World Cup

Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman, Mohsin Naqvi, has summoned white-ball head coach Gary Kirsten to discuss the future of the team after dismal showings at T20 World Cup 2024. Pakistan were ousted from the tournament in the group stages after losses to the USA and India. Moreover, they had to pack their bags in the league stages of World Cup 2023 and the move to reinstate Babar Azam as captain has not fetched any results.

After Pakistan flew from New York to home during the tournament, Naqvi sought a report of the event from Kirsten and Wahab Riaz. There has been widespread agitation amongst fans and former Pakistan cricketers after the team's repeated failures and questions were also raised on Babar’s captaincy. Ahead of the summon, Naqvi said that they have not discussed the star batter’s future as captain.

"There is, however, no decision taken so far related to Babar Azam. I'm only speaking to those former cricketers who are interested in the betterment of Pakistan cricket," Naqvi was quoted as saying by Geo News.

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You have played with the emotions of the entire nation: Akram

Former Pakistan pacer, Wasim Akram, who was covering the T20 World Cup as a broadcaster, came hard at the team after losses to USA and India. Particularly, during the match against India, Pakistan needed almost run a ball with seven overs and eight wickets remaining as well-set Mohammad Rizwan on strike. They eventually lost the game by six runs and Akram lambasted that the team has played with the emotions of whole country.

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"Somebody has to speak the truth about this Pakistan cricket (team). It's kind of getting out of hands. Kisi ka mood off hai, woh uss se baat nahi kar raha, yeh uss se baat nahi kar raha (somebody's mood is off, this guy is not talking to that guy). Come on guys! What is this going on! Poore mulq ke jazbaat ka tumne satyanaash maar ke rakh diya hai. Hadd hoti hai kisi cheez ki (you have played with the emotions of the entire nation, there is a limit to everything)," said Akram after the game.