How bad are Pakistan? Who is responsible for this effort, or rather the lack of it? Will heads roll, and who will stand up and apologise to the fans? Hosting a global tournament after 29 years, Pakistan are all but out with a match to go. When they step out on home soil against Bangladesh, they would be fighting hard to stave off a whitewash in the Champions Trophy.
Let’s speak about the Pakistan batting to start with. In the first 27 overs, there were more than 100 dot balls. This was cricket from the 1990s. The world has moved on, but not Pakistan. They don’t have a single impact player to lift the team in the last 10 overs either, and what could have been a score of 270 ended up at 241. Against India, that wasn’t ever going to be enough. If Pakistan were to make a comeback, they needed a bowling miracle. Shaheen Shah Afridi did get Rohit Sharma out with a peach, but thereafter, it was the Virat Kohli-Shubman Gill-Virat Iyer show.
The problem with the bowling was that it lacked intent. Except Abrar Ahmed, there was no spinner to fall back on, and after a point, the shoulders dropped. It seemed they were mentally beaten. And that’s the problem with this Pakistan unit. Unlike the 1990s, this side are in awe of India. They are scared of Rohit and team, and unless they overcome the mental hurdle, this rivalry will continue to be reduced to a no-contest.
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While there is all to celebrate for India with Kohli making a statement and Kuldeep Yadav bowling a very good spell, one has to spare a thought for Pakistan fans. They have waited for years for the tournament to be played on home soil, and expected better from Mohammad Rizwan and the boys. The least they expected was fight. And yet, all they got was a timid Pakistan. That’s where they will feel disappointed. In sport, one team will lose and one will win, but all fans expect is for their own to compete. That’s what was lacking in both games for Pakistan.
To play a dead rubber on home soil will hurt. More so if their fate is sealed by then. And if they lose against Bangladesh, it will be the worst scenario that Pakistan cricket has seen in a long time. They need to take a step back and introspect. Do Babar Azam and Rizwan really deserve to be there? Shouldn’t there be a new beginning? Is Babar overhyped, much like the India-Pakistan rivalry?
I was at the Salt Lake Stadium for the Mohun Bagan game when Kohli completed the 100. Every fan I spoke to seemed to suggest it was a formality. That Pakistan are no longer a side capable of beating India was apparent, and that’s what will alarm the ICC going forward. Pakistan cricket is staring down the barrel, and in all honesty, there doesn’t appear to be even a sliver of light at the end of the tunnel.
As far as the Champions Trophy is concerned, the tournament will now struggle. With the home team all but out, it will be tough for fans to back the competition. And with no India-Pakistan final possible now, the economic viability of the tournament hangs in the balance. All because Pakistan just did not turn up in both games.
Also Read: Even in defeat, Rizwan in awe of Kohli
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