Pakistan Test coach Jason Gillespie highlighted the importance of fitness in the team ahead of their two-match red-ball series against Bangladesh in August. In the recently concluded T20 World Cup 2024, Pakistan crashed out of the group stage and received massive backlash from former Pakistan cricketers and some sections of fans. Fielding and inconsistency were the two aspects of the Pakistan team that were heavily criticised. Apart from that, the fitness level of the players also turned out to be another point of backlash for the players.

Some sections of fans, along with former Pakistan cricketers including Wasim Akram, Kamran Akmal and many more stars, have been critical of the players’ fitness.

Gillespie is looking to improve the fitness level within the team and said, as quoted from Geo News, “In international cricket, you have to remain fit, there are no questions on that. In international cricket, everyone should know about the importance of fitness. It is the main component of a sportsman.”

After Babar Azam was reinstated as the white ball captain in place of Shaheen Afridi, Shan Masood is expected to lead the side in the two-match Test series.

Gillespie disclosed that he has had conversations with the Test skipper and will hold talks with the players about the brand of cricket that they want to play.

“I have talked to Shan Masood [Pakistan’s red-ball capain] one or two times, I’m hoping we will play positive cricket. I will [also] discuss with the players about what brand of cricket they want to play, the team will be selected while taking the opposition and conditions in mind,” he said.

“If a player is good for the team, he will definitely be selected. I’m in contact with Gary Kirsten [Pakistan’s white-ball coach] for players’ workload management,” he added.

The former Australian pacer asserted that his focus is on red-ball cricket and he has had conversations with previous coaches as he aims to improve the team.

“My focus is red-ball cricket. I will also travel to Australia and watch their players. I have talked with Jeff Lawson and Shaun Tait [Pakistan’s former bowling coach] on the Pakistan cricket team,” Gillespie said.

Pakistan’s Test series against Bangladesh will begin on August 21 at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium. The second Test will be played on August 30 at National Stadium Karachi.

Pakistan World Cup winner Mushtaq Ahmed praised under-fire Pakistan captain Babar Azam, and stated that he requires contributions from the rest of the players. He went on to ask that more respect be shown towards Babar. Babar and the rest of the Pakistan team were heavily criticised by former players, experts and fans as Pakistan crashed out of the 2024 T20 World Cup after the group stage. However, Mushtaq Ahmed rushed to Babar’s defence, stating that he has increased his aggression.

“Babar’s intent has definitely changed in the past year. He has shown aggression in his batting. If a person can improve so much, I think that’s enough,” Mushtaq said to Cricket Pakistan.

“Other players also have a duty to score runs; they have a role to play too. If one person gives you a score, but the rest of our players don’t go on to score in the remaining 7-8 overs, then there’s a problem,” he added.

“This has been happening for 3-4 years. They (other players except Babar) only score when it doesn’t make a significant impact,” stated Mushtaq.

Babar was Pakistan’s top runscorer in the 2024 T20 World Cup, scoring 122 runs in four games, but at a strike rate of just 101.66. Mohammad Rizwan, who scored the second-most runs, had a strike rate of just 90.90.

Mushtaq called for people to respect Babar more, and not forget his contributions to Pakistan cricket.

“If we talk about Babar, there’s a reason why people respect him worldwide. He brings honour to Pakistan. I think sometimes people are very hard on him,” said Mushtaq.

Babar Azam currently ranks among ICC’s top 5 batsmen in all three formats; No. 1 in ODIs, No. 3 in Tests and No. 4 in T20Is.

Despite a rocky T20 World Cup campaign, Babar is expected to retain captaincy, with the ‘major surgery’ earlier promised by Pakistan Cricket Board chairman Mohsin Naqvi reportedly unlikely.

File image of Babar Azam (right) and Shaheen Shah Afridi.© AFP

Pakistan failed to make the Super 8 stage of the T20 World Cup 2024.© X (Twitter)

Babar Azam and five other players have decided to spend their holidays in London.© AFP

Pakistan wicketkeeper-batter Azam Khan has been on the receiving end of some criticism from fans and former players amid his poor show in the recently-concluded T20I series against England. Azam scored just 11 runs in the two matches that he played, while his glove-work was also questionable as he dropped a few easy catches. Ahead of the T20 World Cup, fans and former selectors have questioned his inclusion in the team. While Azam’s performances have not been upto the mark, the experts also suggested that the 25-year-old is out of shape to play at the highest level.

Amid the ongoing criticism, Pakistan captain Babar Azam has defended the youngster, urging the fans to back him and the other players who have been selected for the T20 World Cup.

“When we don’t select a player, you ask us why we did not select him. And then, when we select him, you ask us why he was selected. We need to back the players who have been selected,” Babar said in a press conference.

In the fourth and final T20I at The Oval, Azam looked visibly dejected during one of the drink breaks, having dropped a few catches. However, Babar went up to him and consoled the youngster. His gesture has gone viral on social media.

The way he backs his Teammates Aik hi dil hain Kaptaana kitni Baar jetoge pic.twitter.com/OEnyWtACvm

— Muhammad Abubakar (@Abubakarfts213) May 31, 2024

Azam isn’t the only player who is going through a rough patch going into the T20 World Cup. Even captain Babar and star keeper-batter Mohmmad Rizwan have come under scrutiny for their batting strike-rate.

Pakistan would need a massive turnaround to get out of their T20 World Cup group.

They are placed in Group A alongside arch-rival India, Canada, USA and Ireland. The Men in Green will begin their campaign against the co-hosts USA on Thursday at the Grand Prairie Stadium, Texas.

They face USA in their tournament opener on June 6, followed by the high-octane clash against arch-rivals India on June 9.

Pakistan squad for T20 World Cup: Babar Azam (c), Abrar Ahmed, Azam Khan, Fakhar Zaman, Haris Rauf, Iftikhar Ahmed, Imad Wasim, Mohammad Abbas Afridi, Mohammad Amir, Mohammad Rizwan, Naseem Shah, Saim Ayub, Shadab Khan, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Usman Khan.

Pakistan’s T20 World Cup 2024 preparations hit a roadblock earlier this week following a 2-0 series defeat to England. While the first and the third T20Is were washed out due to rain, England sealed the series by winning the second and the series-decided. Amid Pakistan’s poor form, several former and current players have raised concerns over the team’s chances at the T20 World Cup. Out-of-favour batter Ahmed Shehzad has slammed Pakistan captain Babar Azam, saying that the star batter is hiding behind the selection committee.

“Babar Azam is hiding behind seven selectors,” Shehzad said during a discussion on Geo News.

Babar has been under the scanner for being biased towards certain players. He has been accused of influencing selection of the players on the basis of friendship, rather than merit.

Wicketkeeper-batter Azam Khan‘s selection for the tournament has been heavily criticised in the media by former players and experts. Azam, who is the son of former Pakistan captain Moin Khan, has been facing a lot of flack for his recent form, with former players suggesting that the youngster is not fit enough to play cricket at the highest level.

Despite criticism, Babar backed Azam’s selection, urging the fans to support the players who have been selected.

“When we don’t select a player, you ask us why we did not select him. And then, when we select him, you ask us why he was selected. We need to back the players who have been selected.

Pakistan are placed in Group A alongside arch-rival India, Canada, USA and Ireland. The Men in Green will begin their campaign against the co-hosts USA on Thursday at the Grand Prairie Stadium, Texas.

They face USA in their tournament opener on June 6, followed by the high-octane clash against arch-rivals India on June 9.

Pakistan squad for T20 World Cup: Babar Azam (c), Abrar Ahmed, Azam Khan, Fakhar Zaman, Haris Rauf, Iftikhar Ahmed, Imad Wasim, Mohammad Abbas Afridi, Mohammad Amir, Mohammad Rizwan, Naseem Shah, Saim Ayub, Shadab Khan, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Usman Khan.

Pakistan’s former players are not expecting the team to do well in the T20 World Cup starting in the Americas from Saturday. Pakistan lost a T20I in Ireland and then suffered a 0-2 defeat in England this week, not the ideal result before a global event. Before that, they drew 2-2 at home with a New Zealand side that was missing many of its World Cup squad members. “They are not getting their combination right, which is their biggest problem,” former captain Rashid Latif said.

He feels Pakistan need to not only shuffle their batting but make more use of their spinners.

“Not only shuffle, but players need to be prepared to play at floating roles now in T20 cricket as per the match situation,” he added.

The legendary Javed Miandad is banking on the unpredictability factor.

“They are unpredictable and always seem to do well in these T20 World Cups. But yes, they need to definitely improve in some areas quickly because, with a 20-team event, you can’t afford to relax even in one game,” he said.

Pakistan’s white-ball captain Babar Azam said in his post-match conference at the Oval that although it was disappointing to lose the series to England, the World Cup will be a different challenge.

“We have capable (and) talented players, and we will come good in the World Cup,” he said.

Many cricket fans are not happy with the selection or performance of Azam Khan, who was dismissed cheaply at the Oval and dropped two catches.

Azam, who has followed in the footsteps of his father, Moin Khan, as a wicketkeeper-batter, has been trolled mercilessly on social media since Thursday.

But it is not just Azam who has been a disappointment. All-rounder Shadab Khan has also been struggling for runs, as has Iftikhar Ahmed, who has failed to make any impact while batting down the order.

The bowlers also have been having too many of -days, with pacer Naseem Shah going for 25 in an over in the power play at The Oval, while Mohammad Amir conceded 28 in two overs.

Some officials in the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) are worried that if the team doesn’t reach the World Cup semi-finals, the fan base will take a big hit, which would not help the board in its preparations for the Champions Trophy next year.

“If the team does not perform well, it is no secret it has a big effect on the number of sponsors and broadcasters lining up to invest in Pakistan cricket,” an official said.

“I think Babar just needs to bat at number three, and they should make Saim (Ayub) or Fakhar (Zaman) open with Mohammad Rizwan,” suggested former player Basit Ali. PTI Corr AYG AH AH

Pakistan cricketer Azam Khan in action against England© AFP

The Pakistan cricket squad for the 2024 T20 World Cup is out. The Babar Azam-led side finished runner-up at the 2022 T20 World Cup. After that the side had a forgettable outing at the 2023 ODI World Cup. That saw Babar Azam resigning as captain with Shaheen Afridi taking over. But after a few matches, Babar Azam was reinstated. At his disposal forthe 2024 T20 World Cup, Azam will have a mix of youth and experience.

Former Pakistan cricket team captain Shaheed Afridi is, however, not impressed with the fitness of one of the selected players – Azam Khan, who happens to be the son of former Pakistan player Moin Khan.

“Fitness is the main thing. If you are fit, your body language gives it away on the ground, be it while batting, bowling, or fielding. You can’t compromise on fitness.

“Main kabhi bhi fitness pe Azam Khan ko team ke paas aane dunga (I would never let Azam Khan get anywhere near the team as far as fitness is concerned). I praise him too, he’s strong and well built, he hits well. He has played good knocks in the West Indies.”

Shahid Afridi on Azam Khan

“May Kabhi b fitness per Azam Khan ko team k kareeb naa aane dun”

@SAMAATV#Afridi #AzamKhan #PakvEng pic.twitter.com/Gfof4Td4oB

— Sultan Khan (@MainHoonSultan7) May 26, 2024

Afridi then went on to explain why wicketkeeping in West Indies will be difficult for Azam. 

“In England, the ball carries behind the stumps (while keeping). But when they’ll go to the West Indies, the ball won’t carry as much there, it will keep low.

“I hope he doesn’t struggle, but I am worried about his keeping against spinners in West Indian conditions with this fitness, because the ball stays low there and you have to keep your body low as well.”

“As a senior, my wish is to support every player as the team is going for the World Cup. After the World Cup we can discuss and criticise. But for now, I only want to support the boys and want to make sure that they don’t get any such message where they feel, ‘We are going for the World Cup and this is what Shahid bhai is talking about.'” he added.

Pakistan squad: Babar Azam (captain), Abrar Ahmed, Azam Khan, Fakhar Zaman, Haris Rauf, Iftikhar Ahmed, Imad Wasim, Mohammad Abbas Afridi, Mohammad Amir, Mohammad Rizwan, Naseem Shah, Saim Ayub, Shadab Khan, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Usman Khan