A group that had Canada, USA, India and Ireland would be hard-pressed to believe that Pakistan cricketer would not go past it before the start of the T20 World Cup 2024.
However, as Pakistan’s cricket team faced an untimely ejection from Twenty20 World Cup; former stars and media have joined hands to castigate their performances citing internal conflict and controversial selection decisions being key factors.
The 2009 winners were knocked out in the first round, a record low for the side after losing unexpectedly to USA as well as India with their only triumph coming over Canada.
Throughout the tournament, accusations of infighting and cronyism infected many sides. Critics claimed that personal relationships rather than performance indicators influenced team selections such as choosing Shadab Khan instead of Usama Mir who performed well above his fellow countryman at the Pakistan Super League.
This move among others was met with condemnation from various quarters including former cricketer Kamran Akmal who highlighted about picking players through favoritism.
Kamran Akmal told AFP: “When you select players based on friendship, you’ll get these results. Mir should have been in the squad… That was a big injustice.”
“The Pakistani players think if they don’t perform well, these coaches will be sacked, nothing will happen to them. It is time to keep the coaches and change the entire team,” said former Pakistan captain Wasim Akram.
As evidenced by losses against Ireland & England plus a draw against a weakened New Zealand side during warm up games leading up to World Cup further accentuated anticipation mismanagement coupled due poor strategic planning on part of Pakistan.
In addition disappointed fans have reacted angrily towards the team’s exit at such an early stage. There has been clamour for an overhaul of both the team and its management with calls by PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi “Pakistan team needs a major surgery. We must endeavor making our national cricket team one of the best in the world. This performance is not what this country wants from them.
