Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is going through a bit of revamp and a massive change-up. PCB have appointed a new Test skipper in the form of Shan Masood and Babar Azam now will play as a pure batter in the red ball format. Babar Azam‘s axe was on the cards after a terrible ODI WC 2023 and according to sources, there was a rift amongst Babar & rest of the players.
The 3 Test match series between Australia & Pakistan will be a swansong for David Warner who has decided to bid adieu to the format after the completion of the series. David Warner though has expressed his desire to play the T20 WC 2024 which is slated in June 2024 in USA & West Indies which promises to be a cracker of a tournament as a record of 20 nations are going to take part in it.
All eyes will be on Shan Masood as leading the side won’t be easy for the cricketer. Defeating Australia in their own backyard isn’t everyone’s cup of tea as in the recent past only India had defeated Australia in 2018-19 & 2020-21 BGT series. Skipper Pat Cummins can’t afford to be complacent as Pakistan have that surprise element in them which makes them a dangerous team on the given day.
Babar Azam is not leaving the Pakistan side and maybe they can find a better captain- Ian Chappell
Ian Chappell was seen speaking on the Wide World of Sports Outside the Rope. Ian Chappell believes that Babar Azam is a victim of PCB politics and said that PCB have a habit of changing captains frequently. Ian Chappell pointed out that Pakistan don’t have an encouraging record in Australia. Ian Chappell stated that the trio of Starc, Cummins & Hazlewood will trouble Pakistani batters.
“Yeah that’s a pity, I think Babar’s a very good player. He’s not leaving the Pakistan side and maybe they can find a better captain. But it’s typical of Pakistan, they change captains (frequently),” said Ian Chappell.
“The problem with Pakistan is they don’t have a great record in Australia, even when they had good sides who could bat and bowl. They’ve got some good quickies at the moment but the bounce of Australian pitches has always troubled them,” he stated.
“If you look at the Australian side, they might be on the wane a bit, particularly when Warner goes but they’ve still got a very good attack and it’s a good pace attack. Starc, Cummins, Hazlewood, those blokes will worry Pakistan with that extra bounce,” he added.
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