Pakistan exited the T20 World Cup in group stage for the first time.
Pakistan was already knocked out of the race for Super 8s and this was a consolation win for the 2009 champions. Pakistan had started their World Cup with losses to the USA and India and though they defeated Canada, they were knocked out from the tournament after the USA v Ireland match was washed out.
The early exit for the 2009 champions left Babar's white-ball captaincy future hanging in the balance.
Speaking to the media following a tense match against Ireland in Florida on Sunday, Babar defended his captaincy at the World Cup. He discussed the future of his leadership role in the white-ball team.
"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. 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,” Babar said in the post-match presser.
The Pakistan opener also refused to accept responsibility for the country's third group-stage loss in T20 World Cups, claiming that no single player was to blame and that the team failed due to a lack of collective performance.
"I told you that we did not lose this because of one particular person. We win and lose as a team. You are pointing out that [I am] the captain, but I cannot play in every player's place. There are 11 players, and each of them has a role. That's why they came here to play in the World Cup. I think we have not been able to play well as a team. We have to settle down and accept that we didn't play well as a team.
We accept that we didn't play according to the expectations. The kind of team we had, the experience we had, we haven't been able to deliver at different times. As a player and as a captain, I am not going to single [anyone] out. The fault lies with all 15. We will sit and review. As a captain, my responsibility is to give my feedback to the decision-makers,” Babar further added.
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