Pakistan captain Babar Azam and five other players will be holidaying in London instead of returning home after a disastrous T20 World Cup, reports have claimed. Apart from Babar, the likes of Mohammad Amir, Imad Wasim, Haris Rauf, Shadab Khan and Azam Khan will also be in England’s capital for the next few days as the rest of the squad and backroom staff return to Pakistan. 

Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!

ALSO READ | Bangladesh seal last Super 8 spot as Sri Lanka send Netherlands packing in final group game at T20 World Cup

A report in the Pakistani newspaper The Express Tribune claimed that the players listed above intend to visit London to spend time with friends and family. Meanwhile, some are also contemplating participating in the local leagues in the UK. 

Head coach Gary Kirsten and assistant coach Azhar Mahmood will return to their respective homes. The report added that the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) had given the nod to the coaching staff to return to their home countries as there were no upcoming engagements. 

Pakistan are scheduled to play a two-match home Test series against Bangladesh in August followed by England who come visiting for a three-match Test series in October. 

Pakistan World Cup debacle

Pakistan crashed out of the World Cup without reaching the Super 8 stage after losing to the USA and India in the league matches. In the final match against Ireland, Pakistan stumbled to an unconvincing three-wicket win while chasing a modest target of 107. 

After Pakistan huffed and puffed their way to the finish line against Ireland, Babar was quizzed in the post-match press conference about his captaincy future where he remained diplomatic in his answer. 

“When I gave up the captaincy [in 2023], I thought that I shouldn’t be doing it now, that’s why I left it and I announced it myself,” Babar said. 

“Then when they gave it back to me, it was the decision of the PCB. When I go back, we will discuss all that has happened here. And if I have to leave the captaincy, I will announce it openly. I will not hide behind anything. Whatever happens will happen in the open. But for now, I have not thought about it. It is eventually PCB’s decision,” he added.

Under Babar’s captaincy, Pakistan had also crashed out of the group stage of the 50-over World Cup in India last year. 

You can now write for Baazigarnews.com and be a part of the Baazigar family. Share your stories and opinions with us here.