In the event of heavy rain shortly before a match, followed by more rain forecast, what would your decision be if you won the toss? Likewise, if one of your bowlers has the opposing team under pressure, would you bring him in early, or wait until half the innings is complete? If your main fast bowler is out of form yet another bowler takes a wicket in the first over, would you give your key pacer a second chance or bring in a spinner to sustain momentum?
Consider this: If your star bowler has a poor first over, would you still entrust him with the final over, or opt for someone else? Would you expose the weaknesses of your top batsman in public or handle them privately? When managing a senior batsman with a prominent reputation, would you consistently keep him on the bench or continue to play him? These cricket-related queries should be straightforward to answer, yet if those paid millions often make contrary decisions, what does that indicate?
The current World Cup has seen the Pakistani team management making baffling choices that leave fans bewildered. They may believe themselves superior to others. If we advance to the second round, it won’t be solely our accomplishment; the ICC deserves some credit. Many viewers in Pakistan and India watch these matches, and both teams are often grouped with weaker squads to ensure advancement and reduce financial losses. The past has shown us that when both teams exit early, the council faces significant setbacks.
Despite India’s rise as a formidable team, even in an easier group, there’s no assurance of victories for Pakistan. History reminds us of the World Cup in the USA when we lost to debut hosts. In our recent opener, we barely escaped defeat against the Netherlands, saved only by Faheem Ashraf’s remarkable innings. Wins against the USA and Namibia pushed us into the Super 8 round, but the defeat to India remains unforgettable.
Now, with the match against New Zealand washed out due to rain, our path to the semifinals has become exceedingly challenging. England managed to beat Sri Lanka with stellar bowling, yet their batting vulnerabilities linger. We may find luck on our side. If we defeat both upcoming teams, we could reach the final four, but stronger opponents await us then.
Assessing our performance thus far, it has not been particularly impressive. Sahibzada Farhan’s century against Namibia played a pivotal role in our success. Previously, he often settled for scores around 50 or 60 but notably pushed his innings further this time. Meanwhile, Saim Ayub was elevated too quickly; despite being labeled a promising all-rounder, his weak performance—only 63 runs in five matches at an average of 15—contrasts sharply with modern T20 standards.
The freedom that comes with being a captain in Pakistan cricket is significant, but it also raises questions. Salman Ali Agha, who holds the crucial number three position, only managed 55 runs at an average of 13 in five World Cup matches, and his captaincy decisions have come under scrutiny. Babar Azam, included in the squad amid support, has also failed to shine, accumulating only 66 runs so far. If he continues to falter, he may need to rethink his T20 career.
As criticisms grow over Salman’s leadership and Mike Hesson’s coaching, both have committed several fundamental errors. With little time left, we shouldn’t underestimate England and Sri Lanka. Stronger challenges loom if we continue to progress. The players must remember to care about their performance as much as they did about their auction prices in the PSL. Our team’s display has been lackluster, but all we can do now is hope for improved performances in the remaining matches, or we may find solace in the PSL, where the national side does not lose, sparing us from added stress.
