Pakistan’s T20 Crisis: A Rocky Start and Unanswered Questions Against New Zealand
Pakistan’s T20 Crisis: A Rocky Start and Unanswered Questions Against New Zealand
Pakistan’s start to the five-match T20 series against New Zealand has not gone as expected, despite the claims and preparations that were made.
The crushing 9-wicket defeat at the hands of New Zealand makes it clear that the national T20 team is not at the level many had hoped for, and it’s hard to imagine that they could make a comeback in this series.
When the selectors announced the squad, key players like Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan were excluded, signaling that the team could play without them. While it’s true that the team can play without them, the bigger question is whether they can win without them.
The most important question here is why both of these players were dropped. The board claims the reason was to give them rest, but not many are ready to accept this explanation.
Dropping two key players and then sending the team out to face a strong New Zealand side, which has already defeated Pakistan on home grounds, raises several concerns. New Zealand is a formidable team, particularly in their home conditions.
It was during the era of Wasim Akram and Waqar Younis when Pakistan could beat New Zealand on their home turf, but now, with only Shaheen Shah Afridi as the key bowler, who appears fatigued after just two overs, the task ahead looks daunting. In such a scenario, winning the remaining four matches will seem nothing short of a miracle.
Pakistan Cricket Board Chairman Mohsin Naqvi and other senior officials, especially the coaching staff, now need to seriously evaluate the situation.
The continuous failures of the Pakistani team are not only tarnishing their record but are also affecting the morale and confidence of the team.
If crucial decisions are delayed, it could lead to the downfall of Pakistan cricket. Making timely and effective decisions is imperative to prevent this catastrophe from unfolding.
