Pakistan Unlikely to Undergo "Major Surgery" After T20 World Cup Disappointment - Report

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Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Mohsin Naqvi had suggested the men's team needed "major surgery" after the defeat to India in T20 World Cup 2024, but any major change is unlikely, according to reports.

The "major surgery" comment by Naqvi got the fans thinking about some big time changes in the team and the whole set up including the selection panel and the playing personnel.

The coaching staff did see a change just before the T20 World Cup with Gary Kirsten taking over the role as head coach for the white-ball and Jason Gillespie coming in as the red ball coach.

Pakistan fans may have expected more changes after the disappointing T20 World Cup 2024, but they are set for further dismay with the PCB reportedly not ready for major changes.

According to a report by PTI, PCB might not be able bring about major changes in the national team as that could lead to a confrontation with senior players. The report arrives just days ahead of PCB's scheduled meeting.

PCB's governing board is scheduled to meet in Lahore on Saturday (July 6), when they will take cognizance of white-ball head coach Kirsten and senior team manager Wahab Riaz's reports submitted to chairman Naqvi.

But a source said, only cosmetic changes will take place and the "same set of players" would likely continue to play, hinting that the squad will not see major changes.

"The reports by Kirsten and Riaz will help the Governing Board and chairman Naqvi decide the next course of action but all indications are there Naqvi doesn't want a confrontation with senior players and he has also been advised against massive changes in the team," a source told PTI.

"There are so many outside voices and pressures from within the system that all this talk about big changes is unlikely to happen. So, basically, with a few changes, the same set of players will be in the Pakistan team for coming games as well in all formats," he added.

The report further added that Babar Azam is likely to continue as captain despite calls from several former players to axe him from the role.

There is a group which wants to see Shaheen Afridi replace Babar but, if there are changes, the prime candidates for captaincy would be Shan Masood and Mohammad Rizwan. But the report says any major change is unlikely.

"You could see cosmetic changes, like changes in the selection committee, and the same old story of reorganising domestic cricket to help do damage control. But the senior players remain strong," he said.