Pakistan’s World Cup campaign is hanging by a thread following a comprehensive defeat at the hands of India, leaving them in a familiar position—reliant on other results to determine their fate. With only one match remaining against Bangladesh, the defending champions are now at the mercy of New Zealand’s performance in the group stage. Mohammad Rizwan, Pakistan’s white-ball captain, openly acknowledged the harsh reality of their predicament.
Pakistan’s Uncertain Path to the Knockouts
Pakistan’s qualification scenario is now out of their hands. The team requires a series of favorable results, including a Bangladesh victory over New Zealand, followed by a New Zealand loss to India. Mohammad Rizwan, however, expressed his frustration with this situation.
“We can say for now that it is over. That is the truth. We will see what Bangladesh does with New Zealand, then New Zealand with India, and then what we do. It’s a long road, and it depends on other teams,” Rizwan admitted after the match.
The prospect of an early exit is all too familiar for Pakistan, marking what could be their third consecutive ICC white-ball tournament elimination before the knockout rounds. This trend underscores deep-seated issues within the team that go beyond the results of a single match.
Mohammad Rizwan: Repeated Mistakes Haunt Pakistan’s Campaign
Mohammad Rizwan did not shy away from addressing Pakistan’s recurring mistakes. His own performance—a sluggish 46 off 77 balls—has drawn criticism, mirroring the scrutiny Babar Azam faced after the team’s opening loss. The middle-order collapse following Rizwan’s dismissal dismantled any momentum Pakistan had built, exposing a long-standing issue in their batting approach.
“We made mistakes in all three departments, that is why we lost today. In our team meeting, we planned for 270-280 given the slow pitch and outfield, but our shot selection let us down. Saud Shakeel and I were building a partnership, but after that, poor decisions cost us wickets and destabilized our innings.”
These errors are not new. Pakistan has struggled with similar issues throughout recent tournaments, particularly in high-pressure situations. Mohammad Rizwan pointed out that despite efforts to rectify these problems, the team continues to falter when it matters most.
A Lack of Bravery and Energy in Key Moments
A crucial factor in Pakistan’s loss, according to Mohammad Rizwan, was their inability to show the same level of bravery and energy as India.
“India’s effort was greater than ours; they were braver. That is why they got the result. When we needed to show bravery in key moments, we didn’t. Our fielding lacked energy, and we made mistakes at critical junctures.”
This self-assessment aligns with a broader critique of Pakistan’s approach to crucial matches. Time and again, lapses in fielding, indecisive shot-making, and an inability to sustain pressure have cost them dearly.
Squad Selection Questions Loom Large
Beyond individual performances, Pakistan’s squad selection has also come under scrutiny. The absence of a second specialist spinner, despite spin-friendly conditions, has been a controversial decision. Abrar Ahmed was the lone specialist spinner in the squad, raising concerns about the team’s balance.
“In ODIs, you can’t have five genuine bowlers. The best we had, the selectors picked them—Salman Agha and Khushdil Shah. If we go with two genuine spinners, that means we are going with five bowlers and six batters, and we can’t make a combination out of that.”
Additionally, the injury woes of key openers Saim Ayub and Fakhar Zaman further exposed Pakistan’s lack of batting depth. Their absence forced the team to rely on Imam-ul-Haq, whose conservative approach was at odds with the aggressive starts Pakistan needed.
Place your bets at JitaBet, JitaWin, and Jita88, they offer really good odds, play and win big!
The Road Ahead: Tactical Changes or Tactical Stagnation?
Pakistan now faces an uphill battle, not just in this tournament but in its broader approach to white-ball cricket. The structural and strategic flaws that have repeatedly plagued them must be addressed if they are to break free from this cycle of early exits.
While Rizwan’s leadership has delivered bilateral series wins in Australia and South Africa, Pakistan’s performances in high-stakes tournaments reveal deeper concerns. Whether these issues stem from tactical rigidity, selection dilemmas, or a lack of mental fortitude, one thing is clear—Pakistan must evolve if they are to compete at the highest level.
