'Recipe was ready for a WC disaster': Shocking Pakistan dressing room details leaked by PCB insider

Pakistan has been eliminated from the ongoing ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2024. After the match between the United States and Ireland was abandoned due to rain, Pakistan was knocked out of the tournament. Having finished as runners-up in the 2022 T20 World Cup, Pakistan's failure to qualify for the Super 8 stage in the current edition has come as a major disappointment. A source within the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has shed light on the possible reasons behind Pakistan's disastrous campaign.

Also Read: 'He didn't score runs there because...': Harbhajan Singh decodes Virat Kohli's struggles in the USA

Pakistan dressing room details leaked by PCB insider

The PCB insider has revealed that there are groupings within the Pakistan cricket team with players divided into three groups if not more. He also said that there are some players who are not talking to each other. The PCB insider further revealed that chairman Mohsin Naqvi was aware of the situation even before the start of the T20 World Cup 2024.  

"There are three groups in the team, one led by Babar Azam, the second by Shaheen Afridi, and the third by Muhammad Rizwan. Add to this mix the return of seniors like Muhammad Amir and Imad Wasim, and the recipe was ready for a World Cup disaster," a PCB source was quoted as saying by PTI.

"The return of Imad and Amir added to the confusion as it was difficult for Babar to get any worthwhile performances from both of them since they hadn't played top-level domestic or international cricket for a long while, except in franchise-based leagues.

"There were even instances where some players were not talking to each other, and a few of them even tried to appease all the group leaders in the team," added the source.

Also Read: 'Give him time': Ex-IND coach presents an ultimate verdict on Gambhir taking up India's coaching job

These internal conflicts and lack of cohesion have been highlighted as key factors contributing to Pakistan's early exit from the T20 World Cup 2024, leaving fans and analysts questioning the team's dynamics and preparation.

A senior PCB official said that Chairman Mohsin Naqvi was well aware of the problems in the team even before the World Cup and had been briefed by his right-hand, national selector and senior manager, Wahab Riaz.

"Naqvi held two meetings with all the players in private and gave them pep talks asking them to put their issues aside and focus on winning the World Cup and he would remove all misgivings in the team later on but apparently things didn't work out.

(With PTI inputs)