Under fire Babar & Co eye comeback against Proteas

All is not well with this Pakistan team. Tagged as a balanced unit before the tournament, the team has lost three matches on the trot. Their qualification to the next stage of the ODI World Cup - the semifinals-hinges on the outcome of the match against South Africa on Friday. Like all results of Pakistan cricket team and their ups and downs, their fortunes are somehow tied with that of their captain.

- ASHOK VENUGOPAL

It's no surprise that Babar Azam is under pressure, especially after senior former players trained their guns at him and questioned his leadership acumen during the match against Afghanistan, which they lost. Babar would be under the scanner again as the team would seek a turnaround when they take on South Africa here at the MA Chidambaram Stadium. If net session is an indication, it did offer a glimpse into team psyche. They were trying to maintain sanity. Yet there were enough indications of the invisible hands of fate. Whether out of design or coincidence, Pakistan captain was the last to enter nets. Interestingly, the Pakistan Cricket Board issued a statement on the under-fire team, saying that fans should back the players as they try to make a come back.

Pakistan had a long net session in the afternoon on Thursday. Babar arrived after a fielding session but looked sombre and serious. Sources close to the Pakistan team management revealed that Babar was indeed under 'pressure' and that the South Africa game was a do-or-die one for his future as Pakistan captain.