The fate of Pakistan's white-ball captain Babar Azam and the selection committee remains unclear as head coach Gary Kirsten and selector Wahab Riaz submitted their tour reports to PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi. This follows Pakistan's early exit from the T20 World Cup, where losses to the USA and India ended their campaign after just three games.
Following the World Cup exit, there was a fierce backlash in Pakistan. The seven-member selection committee, perceived to be led by Wahab, faced significant criticism, alongside the tactical decisions and conservative approach under Babar's captaincy. Questions also arose regarding the squad selection, particularly the omission of specialist leg-spinner Abrar Ahmed despite Shadab Khan's inconsistent performances. However, as reported by ESPNcricinfo last month, the PCB has opted to delay any major decisions, given that Pakistan has no white-ball matches scheduled until November. This delay allows the PCB to consider the reports from Kirsten and Wahab, who also served as the senior team manager during the tournament.
The PCB remains open to a possible change in captaincy, although retaining Babar has not been ruled out. This indecision partly arises from the lack of clear alternatives to replace him; for instance, when Naqvi decided to dismiss Shaheen Shah Afridi, he ultimately reinstated Babar, who had only been replaced a few weeks earlier following another poor performance at the ICC event – the ODI World Cup in India in 2023.
With Kirsten and Wahab's reports now submitted, any decisions regarding the significant changes Naqvi was reportedly prepared to implement theoretically come closer. However, the PCB has consistently refrained from setting a timeline for these actions, emphasising the need for a thoughtful and considered approach rather than making hasty decisions.