Former Test captain Misbah-ul-Haq, currently serving as the Head of the Technical Committee for the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), has offered his insights into Pakistan’s performance in the Asia Cup, emphasizing that the 228-run defeat to India should not solely be attributed to Captain Babar Azam.

Speaking to the media in Karachi, Misbah-ul-Haq acknowledged that the Asia Cup’s disappointing performance has left a mark on the team. He stressed the importance of the team overcoming this setback before the upcoming World Cup. Misbah cautioned against placing the entire burden of defeat on Captain Babar Azam, asserting that the defeat was a collective outcome, with mistakes made at various levels.

Misbah asserted that this is not the time for hasty changes within the team. He emphasized that while flaws are evident, reacting to a poor performance with panic is not the solution. He also praised Shadab Khan, highlighting his past performances and the team’s number one ranking.

Regarding the potential replacement for Shadab Khan as vice-captain of the national team, Misbah stated that improvement in performance is paramount. He expressed hope that the team would recover its confidence, and any changes would be addressed by the selection committee.

Misbah commented on the performance of the spin department, noting that it did not meet expectations. He added that there is room for improvement, emphasizing that these players have demonstrated their abilities in the past.

Misbah revealed that consultations for the announcement of the national squad for the World Cup have been completed. He acknowledged the strength of the Indian team but highlighted that the World Cup is a new event with its unique challenges. He expects the conditions to favor Pakistan and support the team’s batting.

Lastly, Misbah suggested directing questions about Mickey Arthur’s departure from the team to Najam Sethi. He cautioned against making excessive changes ahead of the World Cup.