Cricket in Pakistan seems to be a turmoil once again, especially after team’s early exit from T20 World Cup 2024, and this has forced it’s white-ball captain Babar Azam to make a decision about his future as captain in a near future only after a thorough review with the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB).

“When I gave up the captaincy (in 2023), I thought that I shouldn’t be doing it now, that’s why I left it and I announced it myself,” Babar said after team’s campaign came to an end. “Then when they gave it back to me, it was the decision of the PCB. When I go back, we will discuss all that has happened here. And if I have to leave the captaincy, I will announce it openly. I will not hide behind anything. Whatever happens will happen in the open. But for now, I have not thought about it. It is eventually PCB’s decision,” he said.

Pakistan ended their World Cup campaign with a victory over Ireland after losing back-to-back matches against India and the USA earlier. Pakistan finished in the third position with four points in Group A, India with seven points and USA with five points progressed to the Super Eight stage.

Babar, facing repeated inquiries about taking responsibility for the team’s performance, emphasised the collective nature of their failure. “I told you that we did not lose this because of one particular person. We win and lose as a team. You are pointing out that [I am] the captain, but I cannot play in every player’s place. There are 11 players, and each of them has a role. That’s why they came here to play the World Cup.”

Reflecting on the team’s underwhelming performance, Babar acknowledged their shortcomings. “We accept that we didn’t play upto the expectations. The kind of team we had, the experience we had, we haven’t been able to deliver at different times. As a player and as a captain, I am not going to single (anyone) out. The fault lies with all 15. We will sit and review. As a captain, my responsibility is to give my feedback to the decision-makers.”

When pressed further about who should bear the blame; captain, coach, or selectors, Babar said, “You can’t put the blame on one person. We didn’t play well as a team. We did well in patches. Everybody is disappointed. We are as disappointed as the fans. It is not one individual’s fault.

“We finished well. We took early wickets in the bowling. In the batting, we did not do well, but we took it home with the tailenders. Bowling was good as conditions suited our fast bowlers. Batting we made a few mistakes, we had chances to win against USA and India. If the team needs me to open, I will, and if they need me to bat 3, I will. Whatever the team situation suits, I will do it,” he concluded.

Shaheen Afridi was adjudged Player of the Match for his sensational spell with the ball. The 24-year-old scythed three wickets in his four-over spell while giving away 22 runs at a mere economy of 5.50.

“Wicket was supporting for the new ball. We just tried to hit our good areas and strike early. Our plans were a success. My idea was to bowl fuller, and we were trying to hit our areas. We didn’t play good cricket, which our country demands,” he said in the post-match presentation.

Shaheen came at the end when Pakistan had put their chances of winning in jeopardy. He muscled the ball into the stands twice to rescue Pakistan from another humiliation.

“There are few areas we need to improve quickly, and the Champions Trophy is coming. We have to improve, and we’ll have to grow as a team. Crowd – they always come and support us. Thank you, everyone, for the support. It’s tough times, but they always come and support us. That’s what we need as a team. That’s my job. I come late (to bat) in the innings. I just hit. The team needed it. Always trying to hit sixes,” he concluded.