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In a high-stakes battle at the iconic Eden Gardens, Pakistan faced a daunting task of chasing the formidable 338 -run target set by England. Despite their efforts, the Green Team stumbled, managing 244 in 43.3 overs, falling short by a significant margin of 93 runs. This defeat not only marked a challenging end to their campaign but also shattered the 1992 ODI World Cup champions’ dream of reaching the highly coveted semifinal stage of the ODI World Cup 2023.
In the wake of Pakistan’s dismal performance in the ongoing World Cup, veteran cricketer Shoaib Malik has delivered some critical remarks regarding the Babar Azam-led side.
Pakistan’s campaign in ODI World Cup 2023
Pakistan’s journey in the ODI World Cup 2023 was a rollercoaster, marked by nine intense encounters. The team secured victories in their initial two games against the Netherlands and Sri Lanka, sparking hope and enthusiasm. However, their momentum took a drastic turn as they faced four consecutive losses, creating a challenging hurdle in their path. Ultimately, with a tally of four wins and five losses, Pakistan’s campaign showcased moments of triumph and unforeseen struggles, reflecting the unpredictability and fervour of the highly prestigious tournament.
Shoaib Malik’s pinching remarks on Pakistan
Malik highlighted Pakistan’s issue of attributing performance struggles to travel, dismissing it as an excuse. He pointed to India‘s example, emphasizing that their pacers maintained their form and effectiveness despite their extensive travel schedules. The right-handed batter identified professionalism as a crucial factor lacking in their team, suggesting that the commitment and dedication to the game needs improvement rather than focusing on external factors.
“Travelling are excuses. The whole world is travelling. Look at India’s calendar. Their pacers didn’t lost pace and swing. It is the professionalism, which is missing in our team,” Malik said on A Sports.
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Babar Azam’s captaincy under scrutiny
Malik raised concerns about the team’s limitations in terms of resources and the absence of strategic astuteness in Babar’s captaincy. He suggested a lack of adaptability or shrewd decision-making during matches, pointing out that their victories were primarily against smaller or weaker teams, hinting at the team’s struggles against stronger opposition.
“Lack of resources. No street smartness from the captain. We have only won against small teams,” the 41-year-old added.
