- Not so long ago, Pakistan cricket team was considered not only competitive, besting the best during encounters on the field, but also succeeded in instilling a sense of uncertainty among the opposing teams for the sheer unpredictability the entity brought. People closely following the fortunes of the evolution of Pakistan cricket would summarise how world-class performers and talents kept emerging from the country, taking on the more accomplished opposition players and teams head on. Players of the caliber of Zaheer Abbas, Javed Miandad, Imran Khan, Abdul Qadir, Wasim Akram, Waqar Younis, Inzamam-Ul-Haq, Younis Khan, Mohammad Yousuf, Saqlain Mushtaq, and Shoaib Akhtar, just to name a few, are renowned cricketers who have showcased their impressive skills big time.
PC: Sports Rush
- These cricketers not only brought glory to their team through sustained performances on the biggest stages but also proved their mettle with distinguished exploits consistently. The churning of players representing with distinction and making way for the younger lot to carry forward the legacy is a natural corollary associated with any sport, leave alone cricket. Every cricket playing nation unearths great talent to serve the team’s cause on a perpetual basis. However, imagine a scenario when world-class performers are hard to find, leading to suboptimal performances over a period of time. This is what is happening with the Pakistani cricket since the retirement of some of the marquee players, has not been met with equally talented players to shoulder the mantle.
PC: Guyana Chronicle
- Of course, Pakistan hardly found any visiting teams undertaking a journey to the country owing to security concerns for a decade plus years. Thankfully, with the easing of the security concerns, it paved the way for overseas teams visiting Pakistan for bilateral series, resuming the cricketing ties again. The ongoing 50-over ICC Champions Trophy was thus scheduled to be played in Pakistan and subsequently in Dubai because of Team India’s security concerns and the avowed anti-terrorism plank emanating from across the border. Unfortunately, despite being the host nation, Pakistan was eliminated from the group stage itself after enduring successive defeats against New Zealand and arch-rivals Team India. And it is not surprising either.
PC: A Sports
- Pakistan Team was always endowed with fabulous performers known to up their game when it mattered most, delivering astounding performances regularly. The present bunch of Pakistani players are not in the same league as their predecessors. The batters are failing to pull up their weight and except Babar Azam, none can be bracketed as world class. Even Babar Azam is struggling to score consistently and be counted amongst the best in the world. Bowling attack is still potent but missing the edge it once possessed to rattle the opposition ranks. Little wonder, Pakistan finds itself ousted from the elite tournament despite being the hosts. Will the Pakistani establishment pull their socks to ensure the team is up to the mark? Let’s hope it does.
