Pakistan's T20 World Cup Journey: A Mix of Comedy and Tragedy

Pakistan’s campaign in the T20 World Cup has ended on a note that straddles both comedy and tragedy. While it’s not fair to say that Pakistan cricket uniquely experiences such highs and lows, their performance certainly highlighted these elements. The middle order seemed determined to validate the conservative approach of Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan, often referred to as the "RizBar" style of playing white-ball cricket, especially under challenging conditions. Yet, even this approach required Shaheen Shah Afridi’s fearless hitting to alleviate the mounting pressure. Consequently, it remains unclear what direction Pakistan cricket should take moving forward.

The conundrum with Pakistan cricket is akin to the classic chicken-and-egg dilemma: Is the "RizBar" strategy overly conservative because of a weak middle order, or is the middle order underwhelming because it never gets to play freely due to the dominant top order in flat conditions? Given this uncertainty, one might question the necessity of Pakistan's participation in the World Cup. To his credit, Babar Azam tried to address this by demoting himself and promoting a more aggressive left-handed opener, yet the expected results remained elusive.

In their final match, where a consolation win was the best outcome they could hope for, Pakistan faced potential humiliation. Babar Azam showcased his talent by maintaining a steady run-a-ball pace on a tough pitch, but ultimately, his efforts fell short. It was Shaheen Afridi’s late sixes that finally eased the tension. Afridi also provided a glimpse of what might have been: taking early wickets and setting the tone for Pakistan’s formidable pace attack. Despite the conditions favouring their cautious approach, both Babar and Rizwan struggled under the weight of expectations, with Rizwan succumbing to the pressure against India.

The day before this match, Imad Wasim discussed the mindset required to compete in modern white-ball cricket at the highest level. He reflected on how Pakistan once dominated T20 cricket but has since regressed. He highlighted the importance of overcoming the fear of failure.

When questioned about whether this fear stems from the insecurity of decision-makers or the emotionally charged reactions of fans, Babar Azam suggested that it might be a matter of quality. He pointed out that Pakistan’s selections have been stable, with minimal changes under his captaincy. In the 85 matches Babar has captained, 27 different players, including himself and Rizwan, have batted in positions three to seven. In contrast, India has experimented with 32 players in those positions across 96 matches since 2020. Babar stated that they have consistently backed the same eight to nine players over the last four years, indicating that these players shouldn’t fear for their positions. He stressed that while backing and opportunities are provided, players must rise to the occasion. Babar added that adapting to the game’s requirements and conditions is crucial, highlighting that it’s not possible to hit a six or take a wicket with every ball. 

Babar elaborated on the need for players to have game awareness and common sense, especially in challenging conditions like those faced in the USA. He noted that there hasn’t been outstanding batting on these pitches and stated the importance of building partnerships and bowling with discipline. Babar acknowledged that Pakistan needs to think outside the box and adapt to the fast pace of modern cricket. He accepted that under standard T20 conditions, Pakistan must evolve with the times and develop a better game sense.

If this disappointing campaign leads to a strategic shift, the World Cup might still hold significance for Pakistan cricket. However, it will be a lingering disappointment that they failed to advance beyond the first round in conditions that were theoretically favourable to their playing style. While their loss to the USA can be somewhat excused due to the early match difficulties, their defeat against India is harder to justify. Winning the toss and getting the best of the conditions, Pakistan’s inability to capitalise, with no batter stepping up to either chase down or take the game deep, is concerning.

It might be time for Pakistan to enforce stricter accountability, as the job security mentioned by Babar hasn’t translated into consistent performances from either the top or the middle order.