Lack of T20 Adaptation Leaves Pakistan Behind Top Teams
Pakistan’s T20 World Cup journey ended in disappointment on Saturday as the team failed to advance to the semi-finals, exposing longstanding weaknesses in their approach to the fast-paced format.
From captain Salman Agha, criticised for his perceived unsuitability for T20 cricket, to sluggish batting rates and the reliance on underperforming all-rounders, Pakistan appeared out of step with the modern demands of the format.
Former wicketkeeper-batsman Kamran Akmal highlighted the disparity between Pakistan and the tournament’s top sides, including India, West Indies, South Africa, and England.
“Other teams have evolved to meet the requirements of Twenty20 cricket, but neither our team nor our players meet those standards,” Akmal told AFP. “It’s like other teams are playing on the moon while we are still on Earth. We can defeat smaller teams but struggle against the top sides.”
Expectations had been high after Pakistan’s 3-0 sweep of Australia in a pre-tournament series, and the squad included a five-man spin attack suited to Sri Lanka’s turning pitches. However, the opening match against the Netherlands served as a warning, with Pakistan scraping home by just three wickets in the final over, thanks to Faheem Ashraf’s 11-ball 29.
Captaincy and Pressure Points
Like several predecessors, Agha faltered in high-pressure games, most notably against India. The controversial match went ahead only after the Pakistan government reversed its initial boycott decision days before the encounter. Agha’s decision to field first proved costly as India posted 175, and Pakistan suffered a 61-run defeat.
Critics also pointed to questionable bowling strategies, particularly holding back key spinner Usman Tariq until the 11th over, by which time India’s opener Ishan Kishan had already scored a match-defining 77. Former player Basit Ali questioned the captaincy decisions, saying Pakistan’s batters “failed to handle the pressure” during the chase.
Similar errors were seen in the match against England, where Tariq’s second over was delayed, allowing Harry Brook to craft a match-winning century. Akmal also criticized head coach Mike Hesson and the selectors, noting the reliance on all-rounders who contributed neither as bowlers nor batters.
Batting Challenges
Pakistan’s decision to persist with struggling batsman Babar Azam further disrupted their batting rhythm. His slow scoring at number four drew widespread criticism, and he was eventually dropped for the final match against Sri Lanka. Although Pakistan posted a total above 200 in that match, it was insufficient as New Zealand advanced on net run rate.
Fan disappointment was palpable. Saud Baloch, who travelled from the UAE to watch the World Cup, said, “We are all fans of Azam, but he disappointed us by not adapting to T20 cricket. The whole Pakistan fandom is not only disappointed but angry. But sadly, we know nothing will change, and we will continue to mourn such defeats in the future.”