Just under two years ago, in November 2022, Babar Azam stood atop the Melbourne Cricket Ground, his eyes set on the elusive T20 World Cup trophy. Pakistan's journey to the final was a testament to their resilience, overcoming early setbacks to India and Zimbabwe. Despite their impressive run, they fell short in the final. Fast-forward to this year, and the story is starkly different. Pakistan exited the tournament in the group stage, their efforts hampered by recurring batting failures on the bowler-friendly pitches in the United States.
Reflecting on their performance, Babar Azam admitted in his concluding press conference on June 16, "Our team did not perform well collectively," highlighting that the defeat was not the fault of a single player. He highlighted that their batting struggles were particularly evident in conditions favouring fast bowlers, which played a significant role in their early exit.
In both their defeats to the USA and India, Pakistan's batsmen faced significant challenges. During the dramatic Super Over finish, they managed to post 159 after a shaky start. However, in a modest chase against India, they collapsed from a promising 73 for 2 to 102 for 7, ultimately losing two crucial points. Although they managed to secure wins against Canada and Ireland, these victories were overshadowed by their earlier losses, relegating them to third place in their group.
Azam pointed out the critical moments where they lost control, particularly during key matches. He observed, "When we were in a strong position, losing back-to-back wickets shifted the momentum. We were under pressure, and that led to our downfall." He noted how they struggled to maintain partnerships and build the innings when it mattered most.
Pakistan has enjoyed a successful run in T20 cricket in recent years, making it to the semifinals of the 2021 T20 World Cup and the finals of both the T20 World Cup 2022 and the Asia Cup 2022. Azam reiterated that despite their recent achievements, the team failed to perform as a cohesive unit this time around. He stressed, "We have played finals and semifinals recently, but this time we couldn't replicate those performances. It's a collective failure."
Azam refused to place blame on individual players, emphasising that the entire squad shared responsibility for the underwhelming performance. "As a team, we did not play to our potential. I cannot single out anyone; all 15 players are accountable. We failed to execute our plans and play as a unit," he stated.
The tournament's pitches, particularly in New York, posed additional challenges with inconsistent bounce and carry, making batting difficult. Azam criticised the conditions, suggesting that the early match timings favoured bowlers and impacted the game's fairness. "The conditions in New York were challenging, with unpredictable bounce. Better pitches would have allowed for more consistent batting performances," he commented.
Babar Azam's leadership has been under scrutiny, especially after Pakistan's inconsistent performances in the World Cup. Earlier this year, the captaincy mantle was handed back to him in March, after Shaheen Afridi led the T20I team for a brief period. The disappointing World Cup campaign has reignited discussions about his future as captain.
Addressing the issue of captaincy, Azam stated, "When I previously stepped down, it was because I believed it was the right decision. If I need to relinquish the captaincy again, I will be open about it. The decision rests with the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB)." He assured that any future decisions regarding his role would be made transparently and in the best interest of the team.
In conclusion, Pakistan's early exit from the T20 World Cup 2024 has been a sobering experience for the team and its supporters. As they head back home, the focus will be on reflecting on their performance, learning from their mistakes, and rebuilding for the future. The journey ahead may involve tough decisions and strategic changes to reclaim their position among the elite teams in world cricket.