Babar Azam's White-Ball Captaincy Under Review; Kirsten and Mahmood Arrive In Lahore

Gary Kirsten and Azhar Mahmood [X.com]

Pakistan cricket's white-ball coach, Gary Kirsten, arrived in Lahore on the morning of July 8. Alongside him, assistant coach Azhar Mahmood arrived from London. Their visit marks a crucial moment for Pakistan's cricket team, as they engage in discussions with PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi regarding the team's performance in the 2024 T20 World Cup and future strategies.

The insights of Kirsten and Mahmood will be pivotal in determining Babar Azam’s future as the white-ball captain. 

Despite being Pakistan's top run-scorer in the tournament with 122 runs in four games, Babar's strike rate was just 101.66. Mohammad Rizwan, the second-highest scorer, had an even lower strike rate of 90.90. These statistics have drawn heavy criticism from former players, experts, and fans, especially after Pakistan's early exit from the group stage of the World Cup.

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Key agenda items for the discussions include potential changes in team composition, fitness protocols, and leadership roles. Furthermore, Jason Gillespie, the head coach of the red-ball team, is set to arrive in Lahore from Karachi on 8 July.

Former Test cricketers have also been invited for consultations. On Monday, the PCB chief and other board officials will meet with these former players to gather their views and suggestions, focusing on bridging the gap between Pakistan’s domestic competitions and international cricket standards. 

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