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Analysis: What’s wrong with Pakistan’s World Cup 2023 strategy?

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1 year ago

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CHENNAI: Three back-to-back defeats have put Babar Azam & Co’s World Cup campaign in disarray which seems to have become a hallmark of Pakistan cricket.

After the start they would’ve wanted in the World Cup by winning two games against the Netherlands and Sri Lanka, Pakistan was outclassed by India, Australia and Afghanistan which leaves them with four points from five games.

The Green Shirts will now play South Africa, Bangladesh, New Zealand and England – all the games are now must-win for them, if they want to qualify for the semis. 

It is mind-boggling to see how Pakistan has gone down from a world-class team to an unimpressive and hapless side in this tournament.

What happened in Ahmedabad during the game against India wasn’t unexpected, but it seems that Pakistan has failed to overcome that massive defeat by the hosts and then the loss against Australia added insult to their injuries.

India was the clear favourite, but Pakistan wasn’t as bad as they looked in that game, despite a reasonable start, Pakistan collapsed and were bowled out for a meagre 191 runs.

However, the game against Australia exposed two sides of the Pakistani bowling lineup. On the one hand, the bowlers delivered 152 dot balls while on the other hand, they conceded 367 runs in 50 overs.

Additionally, there seems to be a lack of planning and no effort is made to think out of the box.

Just a few months ago, Pakistan was termed the world’s best bowling attack, that best attack now seems to be nowhere. It is hard to digest that the reason for this lacklustre display of bowling is only because of Naseem Shah’s absence.

It may be one of the reasons, but who is to be blamed for the lack of situational awareness of the bowling attack?

It seems that we have systematically damaged the team ourselves, and now we are paying the price. 

Former captain Wasim Akram has rightly pointed out that our players are least interested in first-class cricket, and this is the reason they’re not as impressive in ODIs as they can be in T20Is.

Another problem Babar Azam is facing is a lack of serious effort from his teammates on the field. The three-dropped catches, especially the one dropped by Usama Mir that provided Warner with a lifeline in the game against Australia, and then unimpressive fielding during the game against Afghanistan put a question mark on the standard of fitness.

It may be a harsh assessment, but the Pakistan team’s fielding was worse than a local club team. No effort, no energy, no intent, no attitude. Nothing at all. They looked lethargic from the beginning.

It is high time for Mickey Arthur, Grant Bradburn and Babar Azam to rethink their strategy and shift gears.

Pakistan is down but still not out as the tournament is still wide open.

Pakistan must adopt and display the “Pakistan Way” which was talked about, instead of the traditional “Pakistan way,” which puts the team in a situation where they’ve to depend on ifs and buts to qualify for the last stages.

It may be late, but not too late, Pakistan management still has the time to wake up and put things in order.

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India’s decision not to play in Pakistan for the Champions Trophy has ICC “seeks” an explanation.

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3 days ago

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Our sources tell us that the ICC has demanded that the BCCI justify its decision with reasonable arguments that follow the guidelines set out by the organization. After reviewing the explanations, the ICC has the option to ask India to play in the event if they are not sufficiently satisfied.

After reviewing the explanations, the ICC has the option to ask India to play in the event if they are not sufficiently satisfied. A colossal loss of estimated $500 million would befall the ICC if India does not participate.

Also, an extra $100 million could go down the drain if the much-anticipated Indo-Pak matches dont happen.

These latest developments occurred as the tournament schedule remained unclear following the Indian government’s refusal to send a team to Pakistan for the event.

The schedule was supposed to be announced earlier this week by the International Cricket Council (ICC), but it was postponed due to uncertainty surrounding India’s visa to Pakistan.

I should mention that on November 9, the Indian Board of Control for Cricket (BCCI) notified the ICC that India will not be going to Pakistan to play in the Champions Trophy 2025.

Sources indicate that following India’s decision, the Pakistan Cricket Board expressed their concerns to the International Cricket Council.

Requesting an explanation for the BCCI’s decision not to tour Pakistan, the PCB notified the ICC of the Pakistani government’s hard position on the subject in its letter.

It should be noted that due to the continuing political turmoil between the two neighboring countries, India has refrained from visiting Pakistan for the Asia Cup in 2008 and beyond.

In contrast, Pakistan has paid four separate visits to India within the past sixteen years. Following their 2023 ICC Men’s World Cup visit, they made their most recent stop in 2016.

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Shaheen Afridi regains the top position in the ICC ODI Bowling Rankings.

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4 days ago

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Pakistan pacer Shaheen Afridi has supplanted South African spinner Keshav Maharaj to ascend to the position of the number one bowler in the most recent International Cricket Council (ICC) Men’s ODI Bowling Rankings, released on Wednesday.

Pakistan, led by newly-appointed captain Mohammad Rizwan, triumphed against Australia in the third ODI by eight wickets in Perth, securing their inaugural series victory in Australia since 2002.

The visitors lost the initial match of the three-match series by two wickets; however, they executed a remarkable comeback to secure the series 2-1.

As a result, Pakistani players achieved notable advancements in the most recent ICC ODI Rankings, with Shaheen Afridi regaining the premier position among bowlers.

Afridi demonstrated his bowling skill against Australia, securing eight wickets in three matches at an impressive average of 12.62, leading to a three-position ascent in the ICC ODI Bowling Rankings.

The left-arm bowler has previously occupied the number one position momentarily during the ICC ODI World Cup 2023 in India.

After his ascent, Pakistan currently occupies the first position in both batting and bowling rankings in ODI cricket, with Babar Azam reinforcing his dominance among hitters.

Azam accumulated 80 runs in three innings against Australia, being dismissed only once and hitting the decisive boundary in both of Pakistan’s triumphs.

Haris Rauf, honoured as Player of the Series, ascended 14 positions to attain his career-high 13th rank in the ICC ODI Bowling Rankings, with 618 rating points.

The right-arm fast bowler took 10 wickets in the three-match series with an amazing average of 12.00.

Naseem Shah, having claimed five wickets in the series, ascended 14 positions to attain the 55th rank.

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PCB questions ICC on India’s reluctance to participate in the Champions Trophy in Pakistan.

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5 days ago

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The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) dispatched a letter to the International Cricket Council (ICC). It requested clarification on India’s position for participation in the 2025 Champions Trophy, which is set to be hosted in Pakistan.

In a formal correspondence to ICC Chairman Greg Barclay, the PCB solicited information regarding the timing of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI)’s notification to the ICC over its likely withdrawal from the event.

The PCB’s correspondence also seeks to ascertain whether the BCCI has provided an official, written denial to the ICC, detailing the rationale for the Indian cricket team’s possible non-participation. The PCB has requested the ICC to furnish a copy of any formal correspondence from the BCCI elucidating the reasoning behind their position. The PCB intends to meticulously examine these grounds to comprehend the rationale for the decision.

The ICC’s stance regarding India’s involvement

The PCB has urged the ICC to clarify its stance on the BCCI’s refusal to dispatch the team. The PCB requests clarification on the ICC’s intentions regarding the formal acceptance of India’s withdrawal and its implications for the tournament’s structure and schedule.

Strategy of PCB

The PCB has indicated its intention to seek legal counsel in light of the ICC’s statement, while also intending to confer with the Pakistani government to coordinate future steps. PCB authorities assert that should India officially withdraw and the ICC acquiesce to their absence, Pakistan may decline to compete against India in Champions Trophy matches held at any venue outside of Pakistan.

Sources indicate that PCB’s response strategy will be formulated following ICC’s official reply. The scenario underscores potential geopolitical tensions that may affect cricketing relations between the two countries.

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