Can Pakistan overcome internal issues before T20 World Cup 2024?

The T20 World Cup 2024 is scheduled to kick off in June. But ahead of the start of the World Cup, there is a rift in the team. The upcoming T20 World Cup in June casts a shadow of uncertainty over Pakistan cricket staff. While they defied expectations by coming second in T20 World Cup 2022, their current situation raises concerns about their chances this year.

Team Harmony in question

Reports confirm the rift between captain Babar Azam and other senior players after the recent ODI World Cup. Adding fuel to the fire are viral videos showcasing heated exchanges. This lack of sportsmanship can prove to be disastrous on the pitch. Additionally, things are complicated by rumors of war between Babar Azam and Shaheen Afridi, who have been driving the facet against New Zealand these days. Afridi’s leadership in this series has not been entirely convincing.

What happened between Babar Azam and Imad Wasim? 🇵🇰🤯🤯pic.twitter.com/pUPeGDviVt

— Farid Khan (@_FaridKhan) May 6, 2024

Recent performances are not encouraging

Pakistan’s latest performance gives fear to their fans. Their 2-2 draw against New Zealand at home will not inspire confidence, especially considering the Kiwis’ top players have been busy with the IPL. This series has seen Pakistan’s players falter in all departments, raising questions about their preparation for the main event.

Uncertain coaching situation

The latest appointment of Gary Kirsten as head coach throws another googly. Currently, Gary is busy in the IPL as batting coach of Gujarat Titans. His entry into the Pakistan squad depends on the team’s performance. This delays the connection between coach and players, and the reliance on video calls raises concerns about his ability to successfully influence the team ahead of the T20 World Cup 2024.

Ahmed Shehzad, a former Pakistan batsman, criticized the decision to make Gary Kirsten the team’s coach and questioned how truly he can understand players from afar. “Gary Kirsten is a renowned coach but he will be fed information by those who will select the team. He does not have a base in Lahore nor has he grown up in Pakistan to understand the nature of different players,” said Shehzad.

He also said, “At the end of the day, those involved with PCB are the ones who will be guiding him and doing all of this 2 years will have passed by. Already he has made a statement that I did not like. Kirsten said if we do not win the upcoming T20 World Cup then we might do well in the next two. “So already he is keeping himself in a safe position. He must show confidence and these are weak statements. This is not how a winner talks.”

Despite the challenging situations, Pakistan has a history of pulling off surprises. Overcoming these barriers would require a huge effort from players, management, and the new coach. Whether Pakistan can overcome these issues and repeat their 2022 heroics remains to be seen. Pakistani cricket fans will be watching closely, hoping that their team will overcome these problems and become a strong contender to lift the trophy.