Pakistan Cricket Team Did What Others Can’t

Pakistan cricket team did what others can’t after losing pathetically to one of the weakest-ever Zimbabwean teams in the second T20I played at Harare Sports Club on Friday.

Pakistan’s struggling batting line-up couldn’t even achieve the target of 119 runs against Chevrons.

In pursuit of chase, they were 78-3 but then the batsmen fell like dominoes. They went to the crease but perhaps weren’t willing to stay there.

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Babar Azam’s wicket was the beginning of the doom for the visitors as the remaining seven batsmen could only add 21 runs on the board.

The team could not even enter three figures as Zimbabwe booked green shirts on 99 runs with one ball remaining.

Zimbabwean bowler Luke Jongwe picked up four wickets in the match and was named man of the match.

Eight of 11 Pakistani batsmen restricted themselves from entering double-digits including three ducks.

This poor display of performance frustrated the fans as well as sports journalists and experts who dished out criticsm on Pakistan’s cricket team.

Senior sports journalist and anchorperson Mirza Iqbal Baig wrote, “Until when we are going to rely on Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan? When will be the head coach Misbah-ul-Haq and Chief Selector Mohammad Wasim give answers? When will Pakistani team show consistency in performance?”

آخر ہم کب تک بابر اعظم اور محمد رضوان پر انحصار کرتے رہیں گے ؟ کیا ہیڈ کوچ مصباح اور چیف سلیکٹر محمد وسیم اِس کا جواب دیں گے ؟ پاکستای ٹیم کی کارکردگی میں تسلسل کب آۓ گا ؟#PAKvZIM

— Mirza Iqbal Baig (@mirzaiqbal80) April 23, 2021

He also blamed the culture of ‘likes and dislikes’ in team selection and also endorsed what former captain Shoaib Malik said in the same context.

A message for Pakistan’s team management https://t.co/UQFMOlupYp

— Mirza Iqbal Baig (@mirzaiqbal80) April 23, 2021

Journalist Aalia Rasheed criticized batting coach Younis Khan and speculated that the batsmen don’t listen to him as she referred to Younis’s statement that ‘he cannot pick up sticks’ when he was asked a question about teaching technique to the batsmen.

Our batting is responsible for d shameful debacle. Will YK share his experience as a batting coach?“Danda nahi uthaa sakta’ means players don’t listen to him! If they don’t, y is he still there? Leave aside techniques ,did u observe any mental progress? https://t.co/STKKhhPDCX

— Aalia Rasheed (@aaliaaaliya) April 23, 2021

Geo News sports reporter Faizan Lakhani was quick to point out some stats as usual after Pakistan’s debacle.

This is the first time in more than 5 years when Pakistan is bowled out for less than 100 in a T20I. Last such occasion was in Feb 2016 v India at Dhaka.

— Faizan Lakhani (@faizanlakhani) April 23, 2021

119 is now the new lowest target that Pakistan failed to chase in a T20I. Previous was 128 vs Australia in 2010.

— Faizan Lakhani (@faizanlakhani) April 23, 2021

Veteran sports journalist Abdul Majid Bhatti suggested changing thinking instead of coach and to have some pity on cricket.

Fake Breaking news! Asif Ali will play in 1st test against Zimbabwe??? Nothing impossible with this team management????🙏😷 Yar ab bus kar do🙏Cricket par reham karo! Coach nahi soch tabdeel karo😜 pic.twitter.com/gNtoDK8CeY

— Abdul Majid Bhatti (@bhattimajid) April 23, 2021

Journalist Shahid Hamid also recalled a quote that fit the situation.

Former pacer Shabbir Ahmed gave a great quote in our program yesterday.. “Pakistan team plays as per their rivals, if they play well, Pakistan plays well, if they are bad, Pakistan are also bad.” well said @ShabbirTestCric

— Shahid Hashmi (@hashmi_shahid) April 23, 2021