As the Pakistani cricket squad takes on the challenge down under, an amusing episode featuring former captain Babar Azam has captured the attention of cricket enthusiasts worldwide. The Pakistan team is currently engaged in a preparatory four-day encounter against the Australian Prime Minister’s XI, serving as a preamble to the crucial three-match Test series integral to the World Test Championship 2023-25.
The action took an entertaining turn on the initial day of the warmup, with Babar at the non-striker’s end when his partner Shan Masood drove a delivery from Beau Webster. In a light-hearted moment that has since gained traction on social media, Azam attempted to halt the straight hit with a pair of gloves on his hands, an unusual sight on a cricket field. Although the ball eluded his grasp, the video of the attempt made rounds on the internet after Australia’s cricket.com.au posted the clip, humorously noting, “Babar Azam keeping himself in the game at the non-striker’s end….#PMXIvPAK.”
Babar Azam’s presence at the crease, however, did not last as long as he might have liked. The star player was sent back to the pavilion, having added 40 runs to the scoreboard, when his team’s total was a solid 168 for the loss of two wickets following Buckingham’s delivery. Meanwhile, the newly minted Test captain, Shan Masood, buoyed the team’s spirits with a commendable century, positioning Pakistan for a strong performance in the match.
The recent period has been a whirlwind of changes for Pakistan cricket, especially following the World Cup 2023. In the post-tournament reshuffle, Babar Azam relinquished his captaincy across all formats. As part of the leadership reshaping, Shan Masood was handed the reins of the Test side, while the fast-bowling prodigy Shaheen Afridi took over the T20I captaincy. However, the search for Babar’s replacement as ODI captain remains ongoing.
The restructuring went beyond captaincy roles, with a complete overhaul of the supporting cast. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) appointed a new chief selector, Wahab Riaz, and introduced a fresh set of coaching faces. The previous cohort—comprising head coach Grant Bradburn, team director Mickey Arthur, and the duo responsible for batting and bowling coaching, Andrew Puttick and Morne Morkel—were replaced. In their place, ex-captain Mohammad Hafeez assumed the dual role of team director and head coach for the series against Australia and New Zealand. Supporting him are former fast bowler Umar Gul and renowned spinner Saeed Ajmal, among others in the new coaching staff.
Such sweeping changes reflect the dynamic nature of international cricket, where adaptation and reinvention are often necessary to navigate the pressures of top-level competition. The Pakistani team, with its blend of experience and rejuvenated leadership, will have to demonstrate resilience and skill as they go toe-to-toe with the formidable Australian side on their home turf.
This contest not only provides an opportunity for Pakistan to prove its mettle in what promises to be a closely contested series but also sets the stage for newer talents to emerge and for existing ones to reinvent themselves. Fans and analysts alike will be watching closely, not just for the performance on the field but also for how effectively the team assimilates the changes off the field. With the next generation of cricketing leaders and strategies in place, all eyes are on the green shirts to see how they fare in their ambitious pursuit of greatness in the World Test Championship.