Gloom and calls for for wholesale adjustments have engulfed cricket-crazy Pakistan nearest the hosts crashed out of the Champions Trophy within the team degree, slightly a date into celebrating the go back of a big match.
The titleholders misplaced their opening sport to Fresh Zealand by way of 60 runs in Karachi on Wednesday, sooner than Sunday’s six-wicket defeat to archrivals Republic of India driven them to the threshold of an early walk.
Pakistan wanted Bangladesh to overcome Fresh Zealand on Monday to accumulation their thin hopes of a playground within the semifinals alive, however the outcome went the alternative manner.
Thursday’s sport with Bangladesh in Rawalpindi has been lowered to a dead-rubber fit.
“We have been backing these players for the last few years, but they are not learning nor improving,” former captain Wasim Akram advised the AFP information company.
“It is time for a major shake-up. We need to improve our system of domestic cricket so that we can produce quality cricketers, not ordinary ones.”
A rarity of competitiveness in home cricket and low-quality pitches were blamed for no longer getting ready gamers for the global degree.
The game in Pakistan could also be held again by way of customery adjustments to the cricket board, training groups and choice panels, critics say.
Such adjustments are pushed by way of politics and no longer advantage, in keeping with witnesses.
“I feel very despondent with the state of Pakistan cricket,” former captain Rashid Latif mentioned.
“We need to observe advantage and usher in pros within the management of the sport and no longer nation on a political foundation.
“Frequent changes in the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), selection committee and captains have failed us in forming a proper set-up and team.”
The early removal stings for a rustic that had relished internet hosting its first main cricket match in 29 years, nearest vital enhancements in safety.
Former Pakistan captain and usual all-rounder Shahid Afridi accused Pakistan of enjoying out of date cricket.
“In 2025 Pakistan was playing the cricket style of the 1980s and 1990s while other teams had progressed well to adopt an aggressive and modern style,” he mentioned.
“We need a complete overhaul of the system so that we can produce players with an aggressive mindset.”
‘Cricket is dead in Pakistan’
“We were thrilled that an international event had finally returned to our country, but the joy was short-lived,” mentioned 26-year-old Umar Siraj, a pharmacist in Rawalpindi.
“The hardest part of being a Pakistan fan is that you end up praying for other teams to lose,” he chuckled. “It’s painful. I’m gutted.”
Pakistan’s Champions Trophy flop is not anything untouched. Additionally they crashed out of the 2023 ODI International Cup within the first spherical in Republic of India.
It used to be adopted by way of their walk on the identical degree within the Twenty20 International Cup in the US and West Indies latter 12 months – a match received by way of neighbours Republic of India.
Pakistan latter year completed 9th and latter within the International Take a look at Championship nearest drawing a house line with the West Indies.
The untouched debacle, and on house park, represents a untouched low.
“It is disappointing that they didn’t even put up a fight,” mentioned Naseem Satti, a 46-year-old govt workman.
“We have no quality bowlers, no reliable batters and it seems cricket is dead in Pakistan.”
Asma Batool, a 52-year-old housewife, underlined simply what cricket way to nation in Pakistan.
“Cricket is the only source of entertainment for our youth,” she mentioned.
“Our nation finds solace in this game.”
Accidents, needy method trade in deadly blows
Mohammad Rizwan used to be appointed Pakistan’s white-ball skipper in October and led Pakistan to an important 2-1 ODI win over global champions Australia – their first line victory in 22 years within the nation.
Additionally they received in Zimbabwe and inflicted on South Africa their first house whitewash, with a 3-0 scoreline.
Then again, fast-rising opener Saim Ayub injured his ankle all through a next Take a look at in South Africa and Pakistan not on time the announcement in their Champions Trophy squad till the cut-off date to attend on Ayub’s condition even because the left-hander didn’t get better.
So as to add to the house staff’s woes, fellow opener Fakhar Zaman used to be dominated out of the remainder of the match nearest the primary fit – a 60-run defeat to Fresh Zealand – with a muscle trauma.
Pakistan’s much-vaunted moment assault of Shaheen Afridi, Naseem Shah and Haris Rauf – rested from the Take a look at line to accumulation them untouched – regarded rusty and didn’t keep watch over the demise overs.
When Zaman used to be dominated out, the staff introduced in Imam-ul-Haq as a substitute. He made simply 10 as Pakistan have been beaten by way of identify favourites Republic of India by way of six wickets.
In a amaze progress, they integrated within the squad all-rounders Khushdil Shah and Faheem Ashraf at the foundation in their performances in Bangladesh’s Twenty20 league. Ashraf had no longer performed an ODI for 2 years and Khushdil for 3.
Latif referred to as those alternatives “political selection”, blaming outdoor affect.
Fanatics blame ‘losers’ mindset’
For the fanatics, the loss towards Republic of India introduced a now-familiar heartache.
Moiz Umer, a restaurant proprietor in Karachi, mentioned shoppers requested him to switch the TV channel to “avoid the humiliation” of witnessing their Champions Trophy defeat to Republic of India.
“For large parts of the Indian innings, a good number of people turned their backs to the match – facing their friends instead of the screen, such was the disappointment,” mentioned the 45-year-old within the town of Karachi.
Fanatics who didn’t glance away watched Republic of India outclass Pakistan for the second one age in 8 months in an ICC match, following their strike within the ICC T20 International Cup.
“It was such a big match and we went down with a whimper,” mentioned 42-year-old Zain Mursaleen, amongst round 100 spectators with a deflated temper who had collected to look at the fit in Karachi.
“We love to see good cricket and Pakistan failed to produce that – again.”
Within the garrison town adjoining to the capital Islamabad, the state used to be sombre from the outset sooner than Republic of India’s megastar batter Virat Kohli struck an unbeaten 100.
“They came to the game with a loser’s mindset and never attempted to attack,” mentioned 53-year-old chef Rasheed Saleem. “I doubt they even realise how disheartening it is for fans to see them go down like this.”
