KEY POINTS
- Babar’s lean patch continues with just 66 runs in three innings.
- Shaheen Afridi manages only three wickets in as many matches.
- Victory against Namibia essential for Super Eight qualification.
ISLAMABAD: In a dramatic shake-up following their 61-run defeat to arch-rivals India, Pakistan are likely to drop senior stars Babar Azam and Shaheen Shah Afridi for their must-win T20 World Cup group fixture against Namibia on Wednesday.
The team management confirmed that frustration has been brewing over the lacklustre performances of established names throughout the tournament.
The think tank is now contemplating two to three changes to the playing XI, with a clear emphasis on injecting fresh energy by utilising the bench strength.
The speculation comes on the back of a disastrous outing against India on Sunday, where Pakistan’s strategy unravelled spectacularly.
Asked to field first on a spin-friendly surface at the Premadasa Stadium, Ishan Kishan’s blistering 77 off 40 balls powered India to 175 for five.
Pakistan’s much-vaunted spin attack endured a difficult afternoon.
Abrar Ahmed conceded 38 runs from his three overs, while Shadab Khan was taken for 17 in a solitary over; neither managed a wicket.
Captain Salman Ali Agha later described the performance as an “off-day”.
The batting response was nothing short of catastrophic. Pakistan’s top order crumbled under the new-ball assault from Hardik Pandya and Jasprit Bumrah, who ripped through the lineup in the opening overs.
The innings folded for a mere 114 in 18 overs, with seven batters failing to reach double figures.
No six against full member teams since 2021 for Babar
Babar Azam’s prolonged lean patch has become a major concern for the team management.
The stylish right-hander managed only five runs against India before being cleaned up by Axar Patel.
Remarkably, Babar has not struck a single six against any full-member side in the T20 World Cup since the 2021 match against India in Dubai.
Across three innings in the ongoing tournament, he has mustered just 66 runs at a strike rate of 115.79.
Just three wickets for Shaheen
Shaheen Afridi, once the spearhead of Pakistan’s pace attack, has also failed to fire.
While he was the pick of the bowlers against India with figures of one for 31 from two overs, his overall tournament numbers tell a worrying story, just three wickets in as many matches at an economy rate of 11.22.
The pressure for change has been amplified by strong words from former cricketers.
Shahid Afridi didn’t mince words in his post-match analysis, calling for the senior trio of Babar, Shaheen, and Shadab Khan to be benched.
“If I were in charge, I would rest Babar, Shaheen and Shadab for the next game and give the new boys a chance,” Afridi said on a private television channel.
“These senior players have been playing for a long time. If they cannot deliver in such an important match, then there is little benefit in persisting with them”.
Mohammad Yousuf went even further, describing the current phase as “one of the darkest in Pakistan cricket history” and calling for an end to political interference in the sport.
What’s at stake
Pakistan currently sit third in Group A standings with four points from three matches, tied with the USA but trailing significantly on net run rate.
The equation is simple: a victory against Namibia on Wednesday is essential to secure Super Eight qualification, though a rain-affected result could also see them through.
Namibia, despite being already eliminated from Super Eight contention, will be no pushovers.
They have drafted Alex Volschenk as a replacement for the injured Ben Shikongo and will be eager to sign off with a spirited performance that could potentially derail Pakistan’s campaign.
The way forward
If the reported changes materialise, Pakistan’s probable XI could feature significant alterations.
Youngster Khawaja Nafay, who impressed with a strike rate of 175 in the home series against Australia, is being considered as a power-hitting replacement in the middle order.
Seasoned left-hander opener Fakhar Zaman can be opted for the final eleven.
Salman Mirza, who took three wickets on debut against the Netherlands, could return to bolster the bowling attack in place of Shaheen.
The team management has given players a rest day today as strategies are finalised for the must-win encounter.
All eyes will now be on Wednesday’s showdown at the Sinhalese Sports Club Cricket Ground, where Pakistan will battle not just Namibia, but the mounting pressure to prove they belong in the Super Eight.
