All-rounders or liabilities? Dismal performance exposed in Pakistan’s World Cup exit

All-rounders or liabilities? Dismal performance exposed in Pakistan’s World Cup exit

By Nawaz Gohar ;  Following Pakistan's exit from the T20 World Cup, a harsh spotlight has fallen on the team's core all-rounders, with critics questioning whether they have become a burden rather than an asset. The tournament’s disappointing conclusion has exposed significant performance gaps, as high-profile names failed to deliver when it mattered most. The statistics tell a sobering story of the team’s "so-called" all-rounders. Shadab Khan, a mainstay of the limited-overs setup, managed only 118 runs and a mere 5 wickets across the entire tournament. Even more concerning was the form of captain Salman Ali Agha, who struggled to find his rhythm, scoring just 60 runs and taking a single wicket in seven matches. The trend continued with Mohammad Nawaz, who contributed a negligible 15 runs and claimed only 6 wickets in his seven outings. Similarly, while Saim Ayub showed some promise with the ball by taking 6 wickets, his primary role as an opener was left unfulfilled, as he managed a total of only 70 runs throughout the campaign. These individual failures overshadowed Pakistan's final effort against Sri Lanka. In a high-scoring thriller, Pakistan successfully defended a target of 213, restricting the Sri Lankan side to 207 runs to secure a 5-run victory. However, the win proved to be a hollow consolation; despite the result, the "Green Shirts" were officially eliminated from the T20 World Cup due to their inability to meet the net run rate requirements earlier in the tournament. The collective failure of the all-rounding department has sparked a debate regarding the selection and future of these players, as Pakistan looks to rebuild after another failed international campaign.