Babar Azam aims for ‘third time lucky’ as Pakistan begin World Cup campaign

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan will take on the United States for the first time as the former champions begin their T20 World Cup 2024 campaign today, Thursday, in Dallas.
This is the third time that Pakistan captain Babar Azam will be leading his side in a T20 World Cup. Under his stewardship, Pakistan have performed well, coming close on two instances to winning the trophy but losing out to Australia and England.
In 2021, Pakistan went on a rampage, winning five matches on the trot before losing narrowly to Australia in the semifinal of that year’s T20 World Cup. The next year, with Azam still skipper of the squad, Pakistan lost to England in a thrilling final of the World Cup that saw pacer Shaheen Shah Afridi injured at a critical moment.
Pakistan head into the competition a little low on confidence, scraping an unimpressive 2-1 win over minnows Ireland and losing to England 2-0 in a four-match T20I series last month.
“Babar Azam will be hoping it is third time lucky for him when he captains Pakistan in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, which started in the United States and Caribbean on 1 June,” the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) said in a statement.
All-rounder Imad Wasim will not be available for selection for Thursday’s match as he has been advised rest by the PCB’s medical team, the board said.
Wasim had experienced discomfort in his right rib cage ahead of the fourth T20 match against England last month as he batted in the nets.
“He is expected to be available for selection for the 9 June match against India in New York,” the PCB said.
“It is now my career objective and target to win the T20 World Cup, relive those memories and present the title to the passionate people of Pakistan,” Azam was quoted as saying by the PCB, crediting passionate Pakistani fans for standing behind the team during “good and not so very good days.”
The Pakistani skipper brushed aside the national squad’s recent poor performances, saying he and his teammates were “extremely confident” heading into the tournament.
“It is time for the big one and I know each and every member of the side is anxiously waiting to start so that they can play their part and contribute to a strong and successful campaign,” he said.
The Pakistani captain said he would follow a “horses-for-courses” policy regarding team selection throughout the World Cup.
“In modern-day cricket, the concept and importance of floating players has become more critical than ever before and our players are aware of this as well as their roles and responsibilities,” Azam said.
He said Pakistan would not take the USA lightly, praising the team for beating Bangladesh 2-1 in a recent bilateral series and defeating Canada in the tournament opener.
“We will give them the respect they deserve without being complacent,” Azam vowed.
Squad: Babar Azam (captain), Abrar Ahmed, Azam Khan, Fakhar Zaman, Haris Rauf, Iftikhar Ahmed, Imad Wasim, Mohammad Abbas Afridi, Mohammad Amir, Mohammad Rizwan, Naseem Shah, Saim Ayub, Shadab Khan, Shaheen Shah Afridi and Usman Khan
Pakistan’s schedule of matches:
6 June – vs USA, Grand Prairie Cricket Stadium, Dallas
9 June – vs India, Nassau County International Cricket Stadium, New York
11 June – vs Canada, Nassau County International Cricket Stadium, New York
16 June – vs Ireland, Central Broward Park & Broward County Stadium, Lauderhill, Florida