Pakistan's hopes of qualifying for the Super 8 of the T20 World Cup 2024 are over and there is plenty to ponder upon in the future, viewing the upcoming tournaments and series.
The Super Over loss to the USA and unsuccessful chase of a 120-run target against arch-rivals India put a dent in their campaign. Babar Azam and Co. were relying on different factors so they could qualify in the next round but it didn't happen.
The time is to rectify many things, from captaincy to middle-order, and make changes which is crucial for the team's interests.
Here we will look at the three things Pakistan must fix in T20Is.
Mindset change
Pakistan heavily relied on the pair of skipper Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan. Since they couldn't perform collectively, the batting performance went downhill. Viewing the way they bat, particularly in this format, it's time to change the mindset.
Big teams have moved forward in terms of having batters who play at a better strike rate and unfortunately, Babar and Rizwan are not the best fit. Teams like Australia and England have moved past the likes of Steve Smith and Joe Root.
Since 2022, Babar and Rizwan's strike rates in the T20 World Cup are below par which is evident that we need to include better strikers.
Rizwan has a strike rate of 101.13 while Babar bats at 97.71 which is unjustified in this competition.
Pakistan also need to think about what is best for team interests, viewing the future T20 World Cup in India and Bangladesh, we will need batters who can strike freely.
Team combination
Pakistan's biggest problem in the T20 World Cup was not having a proper team combination. They didn't have any middle-order batter who could bat along and were heavily relying on lower middle-order batters like Iftikhar Ahmed, Imad Wasim and Shadab Khan to play the role.
It needs to be understood that an opener could not fill the role of a middle-order batter, particularly in this format. Fakhar Zaman could not acclimatise himself as his batting positions were changed from 3-5 continuously.
Meanwhile, Pakistan need to think of playing a proper spinner in the XI. Abrar Ahmed could not get a chance to play while Usama Mir was not part of the squad.
On the other hand, a proper pace bowling all-rounder is needed. Big teams have the luxury of this which allow them to sneak bowlers who can bowl four overs and bat anywhere in the middle-order.
Investing in Aamer Jamal could be a great addition in the shorter format as he has shown his credentials in the Pakistan Super League (PSL) as well as Test cricket
Captaincy change
Pakistan need to back one captain for at least the 2027 ODI World Cup. The removal of Shaheen Afridi and the appointment of Babar Azam again before the competition turned out to be a bad decision for the team.
Babar had enough chances till the 2023 ODI World Cup and it was time to rely on someone else. Viewing we have the 2025 Champions Trophy, 2026 T20 World Cup and the ODI World Cup in the following year, it is time to back a new captain. If PCB continue to make changes continuously, the team will continue to show performances like the one we just witness.
