In a notable gathering held at the National Cricket Academy in Lahore, Pakistan’s performance in the recently-concluded 2023 Asia Cup underwent thorough scrutiny. The meeting, chaired by Zaka Ashraf, the chairman of the PCB management committee, convened key figures, including Pakistan’s captain, Babar Azam, head coach Grant Bradburn, and members of the technical cricket committee, specifically Misbah-ul-Haq and Mohammad Hafeez. Team director Mickey Arthur and vice-captain Shadab Khan participated in the discussions via video conferencing.

During the meeting, Misbah-ul-Haq and Mohammad Hafeez meticulously pinpointed the deficiencies observed in the Pakistani team’s performance during the Asia Cup. They posed pertinent questions to the management, addressing topics that ranged from forthcoming strategies to team composition and player utilization.

A significant portion of the discussion centered on the performances of struggling opener Fakhar Zaman and Shadab Khan. Captain Babar Azam expressed his unwavering support for both players and anticipated improved performances from them in the upcoming World Cup.

Sources suggest that there is a possibility of retaining Shadab Khan as the Vice-Captain, although the final decision will hinge on further consultations. Chairman Zaka Ashraf has also sought the captain’s perspective on this matter.

Interestingly, some of the coaches reportedly failed to provide satisfactory responses during the meeting. Sources have revealed that the cricket committee identified several mistakes, which the coaches acknowledged but seemed hesitant to alter their strategies. Concerns emerged as it appeared that despite recognizing past errors, there were indications of a persistence with the same approaches in the future.

The meeting also addressed contingency plans, particularly in scenarios where a player loses form or sustains an injury. Notably, team manager Rehan ul Haq was unable to attend due to personal reasons. The absence of Chief Selector Inzamam-ul-Haq raised eyebrows, considering his pivotal role in selecting the squad for the Asia Cup and his forthcoming responsibility for forming the squad for the World Cup.