Pakistan ended their ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 campaign disastrously when they were eliminated at the group stage after losing to the US and India. Subsequently, Ahmad Shahzad, a Pakistani cricketer, came out in support of the strong criticisms made by head coach Gary Kirsten.
Earlier reports from Pakistan had recorded that Kirsten was frustrated with his team’s pathetic performance and internal divisions in the ongoing USA-West Indies hosted T20 World Cup.
He complained of disunity within players during his interview saying “There is no unity in Pakistan’s team. It is called a team but not a team because it cannot be considered as one. They are not supporting each other; everybody is separated on left side and right side. Like I have worked with other teams before but this situation has never happened.”
Ahmad Shahzad, a cricket player from Pakistan, reiterated comments made by Kirsten calling for accountability for players’ actions.
To express his disappointment following what Kirsten said, Shehzad took to ‘X’, formerly known as Twitter asserting that those found responsible should face severe consequences if indeed he meant what he said. “If Gary Kirsten’s team talk is true, it’s not shocking at all. Throughout this world cup we have been saying these things. This team needs an accountability; grouping issue must end once and for all crackdown would be the only solution. The involved players must be punished so that upcoming generation can learn from their example,” Shehzad wrote.
Geo Super TV also reported that lack of fitness levels and skills among players was one thing that greatly disappointed him since they did not meet international standards.
After being knocked out early, Babar Azam (captain), Mohammad Amir, Imad Wasim, Haris Rauf, Shadab Khan and Azam Khan chose London over travelling back home to Pakistan. This decision has not gone down well with supporters and cricket pundits, who believe the players should reflect on their performances and work towards improvement.
Following their exit from the tournament at an early stage, Pakistani captain Babar Azam along with Mohammad Amir, Imad Wasim, Haris Rauf, Shadab Khan and Azam Khan opted to take some time off in London before returning home to Pakistan; a move that has been met with criticism from fans and cricket experts who believe that they should be contemplating their performance and working hard to improve.
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) will now face pressure of monumental proportions with regards to addressing these issues as well as instituting reforms. Fans and ex-players are clamoring for an extensive inquiry into the team’s conduct with requisite changes needed so that it can regain its reputation on the international scene. As the fall out from Pakistan’s world cup disaster continues, there is still speculation as to how PCB will respond to growing demands for accountability of players over their performance or changes in team structure.
