Pakistan cricket team is on the verge of elimination from the ongoing ODI World Cup 2023. They became virtually out of the semi final race after New Zealand beat Sri Lanka by five wickets on Thursday in Bengaluru.
The Babar Azam led side will lock horns with England in their last league match at the Eden Gardens on Saturday and they have a near-impossible task ahead of them.
If Pakistan bat first and score 300, they have to bowl out England to 13. They need to maintain a margin of 287 runs if they score more than 300 runs in Kolkata.
On the other hand, if Pakistan bowl first. their chances look very slim. Even if they bowl out England for 100, they need to chase down the total in 2.5 overs, meaning win with 283 balls to spare.
After Pakistan’s ordinary World Cup 2023 campaign in India, a lot of change is expected in their set-up. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has decided that the men’s national team won’t play an ODI series till November 24.
Meanwhile, Babar Azam’s captaincy is also under threat as the right-batter has disappointed with both bat as well as leadership during the World Cup.
Babar Azam’s Captaincy Under Threat
There were a lot of expectations from Babar during this ODI World Cup. However, he hasn’t been able to deliver and might lose his captaincy post the mega event in India.
Earlier, many former Pakistan cricketers had criticised the captaincy of Babar, asking for his removal from the role. Many cricketers had even advised Babar to leave the captaincy by himself before being sacked by PCB.
Notably, the Pakistan Cricket Board had hinted that skipper Babar’s captaincy could be on the line if the team’s campaign in the ongoing World Cup fails and now it seems almost certain.
“Addressing the media scrutiny directed at captain Babar Azam and the team management, the board’s stance, echoing that of former cricketers, is that successes and defeats are part of the game. Captain Babar Azam and Chief Selector Inzamam-ul-Haq were given freedom and support in forming the squad for the ICC World Cup 2023,” the PCB had said in a statement, last month.
“Looking ahead, the board will make decisions in the best interest of Pakistan cricket based on the team’s performances in the World Cup,” it added.
Reasons Behind PCB’s Decision To Avoid ODIs For Next One Year
The ODI World Cup 2023 match against England will be the last 50-over match for Pakistan for a long long time. After the end of the ongoing ODI World Cup, Pakistan are scheduled to face Australia in a three match Test series in December 2023 and January 2024.
Thereafter, Pakistan will face West Indies in two Tests, three T20Is in February/March 2024. In order to prepare for ICC T20 World Cup 2024, which is scheduled to be played in USA/West Indies in June, Pakistan will play back to back T20Is against Netherlands , Ireland and England in May.
After playing Tests against Bangladesh and England in August and October, Pakistan will finally play three match ODI series against Australia in November.