Why is Pakistan Continuously struggling at the Cricket World Cups
Why is Pakistan Continuously struggling at the Cricket World Cups? As Babar Azam found himself in a pivotal moment, orchestrating a 50-run partnership with Mohammad Rizwan, displaying a sense of inevitability in their play. While Pakistan’s semi-final dreams had dissipated, there remained a World Cup game to be won, and Babar’s presence was crucial for that to happen.
The least experienced international cricketer in England’s squad, Gus Atkinson, attempted to unsettle Babar with a short delivery. Despite Adil Rashid strategically placed at short midwicket to deter Babar’s pull, he executed the shot anyway. Unfortunately, the timing was off, and Babar’s World Cup campaign concluded with a whimper on his 45th delivery. Pakistan, too, bowed out meekly, succumbing by 93 runs to a team that had been defeated by all but Bangladesh and Netherlands.
This dismissal mirrored Babar’s start in the tournament, falling to Netherlands’ Colin Ackermann. In a tournament marked by Pakistan’s repetition of past mistakes, their captain encapsulated this pattern, bookending the campaign much like how he began it.
Pakistan’s continuous Struggle at the World Cups:
While comparisons to the 1992 World Cup have become a cultural touchstone for Pakistani cricket, the focus shifted to the more recent 2019 World Cup. As Pakistan faced four successive defeats, discussions about their improbable path to the semis circulated. However, this dream also faded away, mirroring their fate in 2019, where New Zealand edged them out, primarily due to net run rate (NRR) considerations.
The significance of NRR was highlighted in the final moments of a World Cup game, where Pakistan only needed one run to win. Rizwan’s drive hit the boundary, seemingly concluding the game with a four. However, a single run was what counted, emphasizing the importance of understanding and utilizing NRR, a lesson Pakistan seemingly failed to fully grasp.
The aftermath of Pakistan’s early World Cup exit is expected to have repercussions beyond the field. The Pakistan Cricket Board’s dysfunctional state, caught in a political struggle, adds another layer of complexity. Despite the challenges, the core of the squad remained the same as in 2019, with players gaining experience. However, the stagnation in performance, including issues with key players like Imam-ul-Haq and Shadab Khan, raises questions about the team’s direction.
Shadab Khan, once a promising ODI spinner, is now at a crossroads with a decline in performance. The team’s spin-bowling struggles in the tournament, despite having an extra spinner in Usama Mir, underscored the need for improvement. Shaheen Afridi’s lack of early impact and missed opportunities in the field further added to Pakistan’s challenges.
As speculation around Babar Azam’s captaincy intensifies, questions about his in-game management skills and the ability to shift momentum persist. With Pakistan looking toward a rebuild for the 2025 Champions Trophy, the need for transformative change becomes evident. Despite their recent top ranking in ODIs, Pakistan faces the daunting task of rebuilding constructively rather than succumbing to a vindictive approach.
In the wake of their optimistic entry into the World Cup, Pakistan now grapples with the realization that teams they once looked down upon are competing for the coveted prize they had set their sights on. The true challenge lies ahead—a reconstruction that must be both constructive and forward-looking.
