PAKISTAN: In a shocking turn of events, Pakistan cricket is grappling with a series of issues, from unpaid salaries to leadership controversies, as the national team faces a series of defeats in the ICC World Cup 2023.
Four consecutive losses have raised concerns about the team’s performance and internal dynamics, making the Pakistan cricket team’s journey in the ICC World Cup 2023 turbulent and uncertain. As frustrations mount, former cricketers and insiders have revealed a series of concerning developments.
Former international cricketer Rashid Latif recently aired his concerns on a state-owned TV channel, claiming that Pakistan national team players have not received their salaries from the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB).
These allegations come at a time when the team is already struggling with a string of defeats, including a narrow loss to South Africa in their latest match at the MA Chidambaram Stadium.
“What do we expect from the team in these circumstances? The players have not received their salaries, and the Chairman is not answering the captain,” Rashid Latif said on the PTV sports station. He also disclosed that some players have been informed that their recent contracts with PCB are under review, further adding to the uncertainty within the team.
Moreover, PCB chief Zaka Ashraf’s alleged reluctance to communicate with skipper Babar Azam has raised eyebrows. According to Latif, Babar Azam has received no response from the Chairman, even though he called and messaged from India, where the World Cup matches are being held.
In addition to the off-field issues, Pakistan’s bowling legend, Wasim Akram, expressed his displeasure with some of the on-field decisions made by captain Babar Azam during the recent defeat to South Africa.
Akram particularly criticized Babar’s choice to entrust the 48th over to Mohammad Nawaz instead of Usama Mir, citing Nawaz’s lack of confidence and poor performance in the match.
On a separate cricket show called ‘The Pavilion,’ Shoaib Malik, a former Pakistani cricketer, joined the chorus of criticism, stating that Babar Azam is not the right candidate to lead Pakistan.
Malik emphasized that Babar has failed to deliver under pressure and suggested that the added responsibility of captaincy was affecting his batting.
Pakistan’s performance in the ICC World Cup 2023 has been far from ideal, with the team currently sitting in sixth place on the points table, having secured only four points from two wins in six matches.
With just three matches left in the round-robin stage, another defeat could spell disaster for Pakistan’s World Cup campaign.
Also Read: World Cup 2023: Sri Lanka Dominates with an 8-wicket Victory Over England
