After an easy win against Bangladesh, some stability and relief has returned to the Pakistan cricket team. Inzamam-ul-Haq has stepped down from the post of chief selector of the Pakistan team after losing four matches in a row.
Meanwhile, the Pakistan Cricket Board has issued two statements, once saying that Babar Azam and Inzamam ul Haque have full freedom and support in the formation of the team.
In another statement, a five-member inquiry committee was set up to look into whether there was any conflict of interest behind the formation of the party.
In other words, Pakistan cricket team is playing cricket in Indian soil in a stormy environment, where again a large part of their supporters did not get visa.
And in the current situation, the cricket board of the country is not completely with the cricketers of this squad.
Even Pakistan team director Mickey Arthur said, “The way Babar Azam, Inzamam are being fingered is very unfair. The team is losing, but everyone is trying together. All are top quality cricketers here, it’s just that the form and performance are not matching”.
Mickey Arthur thinks that it is not right to blame at such a time.
‘Pakistan are a terrible team’ – Vaughan
Former England cricketer Michael Vaughan said in Cricbuzz’s analysis that this is nothing new in Pakistan cricket.
He recalled the 2009 T20 World Cup, when the Pakistan cricket team won the T20 World Cup. Sebar also resigned as the chief selector of the Pakistan cricket team midway through the tournament.
Michael Vaughan said, “If any party can fight controversy it is Pakistan. Pakistan are a terrible team, if they play well against New Zealand there is England in the last match”.
Harsha Bhogle said, “In 1992, Pakistan also missed the ticket to return home, in 2017 the same happened in the Champions Trophy, in the 2019 ODI World Cup, Pakistan lost the net run rate after winning the last four matches of the league stage, in the 2022 World T20, Pakistan started with a loss to Zimbabwe. Even though he made it to the finals.”
Babar Azam is the number one batsman in the ODI rankings, he was thought to be one of the best run scorers in the World Cup as he scored 207 runs, 34 average, 79 strike rate.
He scored three half-centuries but got out at a time that seemed to have started the batting collapse.
Among Pakistan’s bowlers, Shaheen Shah Afridi is the number one bowler in the World Cup at the moment.
He took 3 wickets with 23 runs against Bangladesh.
Fakhar Zaman indicated to return to the team yesterday, Abdullah Shafiq is batting well.
All in all, the Pakistan cricket team is going through a mixed experience.
However, Babar Azam’s team still has a chance of making it to the semi-finals.
Pakistan’s way to the semi-finals
If Pakistan wants to rise with net run rate, then they have to ensure victory against New Zealand and England.
Between South Africa, Australia, New Zealand and Afghanistan, more than two teams must ensure that they do not get more than 12 points.
Either team in Australia or New Zealand must lose their next three matches.
Afghanistan must lose at least two and Sri Lanka and the Netherlands at least one each.
However, many results will have to go in Pakistan’s favor to reach the semi-finals even with 8 points.
Source: BBC
