Pakistan’s cricket team is in disarray after a recent T20I series loss to South Africa, marking its third defeat of 2024. Ahmad Shahzad criticized the players’ performance and the board, declaring “Pakistan cricket is dying.” South Africa’s victory, propelled by Reeza Hendricks’ T20I century, highlights the contrasting fortunes of both teams.
The Pakistan cricket team is currently facing a significant downturn in its T20I performance, recently suffering a series defeat to South Africa, marking its third such loss in 2024. This year, the team secured victories over minor cricketing nations such as Ireland and Zimbabwe but encountered losses against stronger teams, including New Zealand, England, Australia, and more recently, South Africa. Ahmad Shahzad, a former player, publicly criticized the team’s performance and the cricket board, asserting that “Pakistan cricket is dying” due to neglect by those at the top of the organization.
In a statement reflecting on the recent series, Shahzad expressed discontent regarding the quality of the competition, suggesting that the match felt akin to a contest between reserve teams rather than full international sides. He pointed out that South Africa had fielded a team without several key players but still managed to claim victory, emphasizing the dire state of Pakistan cricket. Despite Pakistan’s efforts, exemplified by a strong score of 206 runs in the first match, they were unable to secure a series win, raising concerns about the team’s future prospects on the international stage.
South Africa’s success in this series represents a notable achievement as they celebrated their first T20I bilateral series win since August 2022. Reeza Hendricks played a crucial role, scoring his first T20I century and leading his team to a comfortable seven-wicket victory. His performance helped new coach Rob Walter secure his first series win since assuming the role in March 2023, highlighting the contrasting fortunes of both teams during this series.
The current situation facing the Pakistan cricket team is emblematic of broader issues within the nation’s cricketing structure. Following a series of defeats, the team’s competitive status is being questioned, especially as they face challenges from both traditional and emerging cricketing nations. Ahmad Shahzad’s comments reveal deep frustrations that many within the cricketing community share regarding the management and direction of cricket in Pakistan, particularly in the context of international performance.
In summary, the series loss to South Africa has underscored a troubling trend for Pakistan cricket, raising alarm among former players and analysts alike. Ahmad Shahzad’s candid remarks reflect a broader dissatisfaction with the team’s trajectory and the governance of the sport within the country. As Pakistan seeks to revitalize its cricketing success, urgent reforms may be necessary to address the systemic issues that have contributed to their current plight.
Original Source: sports.ndtv.com
