Have Pakistan Become T20I Minnows?

[Cricket Warrior]

When it comes to T20 cricket beating lower-ranked teams is one thing... holding your own against the best is another. Let’s take a closer look at how Pakistan have fared against the world’s top T20I sides over the years.

Once known for their unpredictability and firepower, Pakistan's recent performances suggest they’re no longer feared by top sides, raising serious questions about their standing in the format.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1967642935601807461

 

[JaDed]

Didn't you guys win a series against Aus, was that ODI? I won't say minnows but this should had been the best format for Pakistani players that have stamina to only bowl 4 overs nowadays.

Although T20 is also becoming professional every year and it will get tougher to fluke but it's still the easiest to make an upset and gap isn't that big between all teams on a given day.

 

[Aqib_mustafa]

Didn't you guys win a series against Aus, was that ODI?

Ya that was odi

 

[Aqib_mustafa]

Didn't you guys win a series against Aus, was that ODI?

But what's you take on this pakistan side who look lost not winning anything?

 

[JaDed]

But what's you take on this pakistan side who look lost not winning anything?

I won't say minnows but this should had been the best format for Pakistani players that have stamina to only bowl 4 overs nowadays.

Although T20 is also becoming professional every year and it will get tougher to fluke but it's still the easiest to make an upset and gap isn't that big between all teams on a given day.

 

[hks222]

We are literally crying about hand shakes.

Bro, wouldnt even had mattered had we won this.

Looser mentality - sorry state of affairs when coach himself is giving such statements about tempo etc.

Perform on-field, rest of the things will make way on their own.

 

[JaDed]

T20 is a format that most teams experiment over time to get it right for T20 WC, PCT didn't experiment much even now they went with big changes of removing Babar and Rizwan to probably make a statement, instead should stick to experimentation to get the right 11

 

[Aqib_mustafa]

I won't say minnows but this should had been the best format for Pakistani players that have stamina to only bowl 4 overs nowadays.

Although T20 is also becoming professional every year and it will get tougher to fluke but it's still the easiest to make an upset and gap isn't that big between all teams on a given day.

Ya true somehow they won series in Australia i know one match australia wasn't full strength then they whitewashed south africa in odis with their strong team saim ayub score 2 hundred so talent is there but they now have to perfrom at this level.

 

[JaDed]

Ya true somehow they won series in Australia i know one match australia wasn't full strength then they whitewashed south africa in odis with their strong team saim ayub score 2 hundred so talent is there but they now have to perfrom at this level.

The defeated Afghans easily too, either of two things are happening :

1.Gulf between Tier 1 and Tier 2 is becoming wider every day
2.Locker room politics making everyone perform like a n idiot against top teams, I'm not saying Babar and Rizwan would had made any difference yesterday but big changes for sake of it just creates too much uncertainty, they could had just rested Rizwan maybe and played Babar.

 

[RyanRyan10]

Most of those losses came in pre Hesson era

 

[saabir]

Pakistan are slightly better than Minnows but not good enough to compete against top sides like India, Australia, England , SA

 

[sweep_shot]

Pakistan are a mid-tier team. Same tier as SL, Afghanistan, Bangladesh, and West Indies.

Anyway, Pakistan are better than SL, BD, Windies, and AFG.

 

[Katwalindian]

Didn't you guys win a series against Aus, was that ODI? I won't say minnows but this should had been the best format for Pakistani players that have stamina to only bowl 4 overs nowadays.

Although T20 is also becoming professional every year and it will get tougher to fluke but it's still the easiest to make an upset and gap isn't that big between all teams on a given day.

Also whitewash SA full strength side in odis.....

 

[Katwalindian]

Ya true somehow they won series in Australia i know one match australia wasn't full strength then they whitewashed south africa in odis with their strong team saim ayub score 2 hundred so talent is there but they now have to perfrom at this level.

But pak whitewashed SA full side in SA after Aus series....even only last Australia odi was not full strength but they lost to low strength Australia in t20s so T20s is problem....

 

[JaDed]

But pak whitewashed SA full side in SA after Aus series....even only last Australia odi was not full strength but they lost to low strength Australia in t20s so T20s is problem....

T20s probably is becoming a problem but ODI will matter mostly when ICC tournaments come and PCT has been average since 2017 in them.

 

[Nikhil_cric]

Not minnows but they are consistently coming up short against the stronger sides and seem unable to compete .

Last 25 completed matches against SENA + India

4 wins, 21 losses.

 

[Aqib_mustafa]

Not minnows but they are consistently coming up short against the stronger sides and seem unable to compete .

Last 25 completed matches against SENA + India

4 wins, 21 losses.

Bro is saim ayub overrated or he can be pakistan next saeed anwer?

 

[sweep_shot]

Bro is saim ayub overrated or he can be pakistan next saeed anwer?

Saeed Anwar was legendary.

Saim is only just starting. I think Saim is more like Hafeez than Saeed Anwar.

 

[Nikhil_cric]

Bro is saim ayub overrated or he can be pakistan next saeed anwer?

He can. Not overrated at all.

 

[JaDed]

Saeed Anwar was legendary.

Saim is only just starting. I think Saim is more like Hafeez than Saeed Anwar.

Hafeez in LOI's in 2010's was remarkable 2-4 times during 2-3 years he was responsible for our defeat in partnership with Nasir, he is very underrated, Saim would do great if he becomes that.

I remember him winning T20 series against SENA as well and some 90 something against kiwis in 50is balls.

 

[TexasRattlesnake]

Not minnows but they are consistently coming up short against the stronger sides and seem unable to compete .

Last 25 completed matches against SENA + India

4 wins, 21 losses.

Most of the NZ matches were against he 2nd/3rd tier side.

 

[sweep_shot]

Hafeez in LOI's in 2010's was remarkable 2-4 times during 2-3 years he was responsible for our defeat in partnership with Nasir, he is very underrated, Saim would do great if he becomes that.

I remember him winning T20 series against SENA as well and some 90 something against kiwis in 50is balls.

Hafeez was very good but Saeed Anwar was on a different level.

As of now, Saim is more like Hafeez.

 

[Aqib_mustafa]

Hafeez in LOI's in 2010's was remarkable 2-4 times during 2-3 years he was responsible for our defeat in partnership with Nasir, he is very underrated, Saim would do great if he becomes that.

I remember him winning T20 series against SENA as well and some 90 something against kiwis in 50is balls.

Ya but saim ayub is wasting his talent by focusing on his bowling his primary job is batting he should get cracking at that.

 

[JaDed]

Hafeez was very good but Saeed Anwar was on a different level.

As of now, Saim is more like Hafeez.

I know, I saw Anwar in his prime until 2001 CT.. didn't seem much into cricket after that probably due to personal tragedy.

 

[JaDed]

Ya but saim ayub is wasting his talent by focusing on his bowling his primary job is batting he should get cracking at that.

Nothing wrong in focusing on bowling, Afridi did that as well, Sachin was a very good bowler in 1990s, heck Yuvi became a beast of a bowler and was remarkable in 2011 wc.
He should focus on his batting too yes, he is very young still..

 

[Aqib_mustafa]

Nothing wrong in focusing on bowling, Afridi did that as well, Sachin was a very good bowler in 1990s, heck Yuvi became a beast of a bowler and was remarkable in 2011 wc.
He should focus on his batting too yes, he is very young still..

I think pakistan has something to work with in saim ayub but saim should now realise his potential and look to get better every game.

 

[jnaveen1980]

Most teams don't care about T20 internationals until the world cup. Even that is not a thing given the frequency. So not being a good T20 side shouldn't be the first issue Pakistan should focus on. They should focus on Tests and ODIs.

 

[Shafikapeo]

I think pakistan has something to work with in saim ayub but saim should now realise his potential and look to get better every game.

Saim is a good ODI batsman, but he needs to improve his batting in T20 and Test cricket. As far as I remember, Pakistan’s most destructive T20-caliber opener was Imran Nazir, but unfortunately he couldn’t represent Pakistan for long.

 

[Deewana Mastana]

No, Pakistan has not become T20I minnows but however they are clearly underperforming. The decline is not just about results, but about the manner in which they’ve been losing games often without fight, extremely poor body language, tactical blunders, poor fielding displays, and puzzling team selections. Even in matches they should win comfortably, the team appears to lack confidence and control. This isn't about lack of talent, it's about poor planning and execution.

 

[giri26]

Hafeez was very good but Saeed Anwar was on a different level.

As of now, Saim is more like Hafeez.

I agree, Anwar was legend and Saim has a long way to go before even compared to him. For now he seems like a good young player with potential. A good start is just that, a good start, what he does with his career post that needs to be seen. Saim needs to be consistent with the bat first, his bowling should be the bonus.

 

[BreadPakoda]

Anyway, Pakistan are better than SL, BD, Windies, and AFG.

Arguably better but not clearly better.

The current version SL is underrated on this forum. They can give top sides a run for their money.

WI and AFG are both good teams and turn up in ICC tournaments. Pakistan lost to USA last time.

 

[giri26]

The biggest problem for Pakistan in T20Is is the people they are selecting as hitters. When you look at players who are successful in T20Is elsewhere there is a pattern there, they all don't swipe across the line. The biggest problem when you have a team full of players who can only slog across the line, you will fail more often than succeed. It is not easy to consistently slog against good bowlers and that is what Pakistan batters are struggling with. Once in a while on a good batting pitch you may get away with it but on sluggish surfaces hitting across the line will mostly get you out. Hasan Nawaz, Mohammad Haris etc will majority of the time fail due to their lack of skill and for not having proper hitting technique. Players who have had great T20 careers like Gayle, De Villiers and now Klassen have one thing in common, they all mostly hit between extra cover and long on. Yeah De Villiers might go for some scoops and sweeps etc but most of the times facing good fast bowlers, he would hit through the line and not across it. Even someone like Abhishek Sharma does that, this is what Pakistan batters need to learn. When you see the wickets they lost yesterday, the batters had no plan, they were just hitting the ball in the air and getting caught.

 

[chinaman00]

T20 minnows? Pakistan is unquestionably cricket minnow.

Cricket is dead in Pakistan.

 

[moghul]

Keep Naqvi as the chairman , even minnows will make fun of us.

 

[moghul]

Pakistan are a mid-tier team. Same tier as SL, Afghanistan, Bangladesh, and West Indies.

Anyway, Pakistan are better than SL, BD, Windies, and AFG.

SL , WI and Afghanistan are better than Pakistan , even BD beat Pakistan in T20 series recently , SO Pakistan is at lower tier of minnows.

 

[Shaka81]

This current Pakistan T20 team would be a very decent associate team, probably just above the level of a UAE, Ireland or Scotland. At a similar level to Zimbabwe maybe. The top teams are too professional, well organised with players who understand their roles and deserving of international selection, to worry about games against Pakistan. Things are so bad that hopes are being pinned on guys like Saim Ayub and Hasan Nawaz who are nowhere near ready for the responsibility being thrust on them. Or even worse Mohammed Haris who will never be a good player.

 

[sweep_shot]

I personally think (based on my observation) Pakistani selectors/fans panic too much and end up making too many changes too frequently.

In the 90's and 2000's, it wasn't like that. There were some core players and those players used to play for many years. That was how Wasim reached 500 ODI wickets, Afridi reached 398 ODI wickets, Waqar reached 400 ODI wickets etc. There was stability in selections and even in coaching panels.

Things appear too chaotic in modern day Pakistani cricket. It seems like people have become impatient and want instant results. Players get replaced quickly, selectors get replaced quickly, coaches get replaced quickly etc.

Just my two cents. Constructive criticism.

 

[prash88]

Pakistan can be at New Zealand level (top 6) with current talent pool and sound tactics. But poor planning, tactics, instability made them flirt with WI, Afg, Ban, SL

 

[Obaidd]

Going by results, talent pool, management, commercial performance, and prospects - yup minnow.

 

[Champ_Pal]

Bowling is still pretty good.

Batting is mediocre. Other than Zaman and Ayub, I don't see any Pak batsman that could score at over 140 s/r against good bowling attacks. Even then Ayub is still raw. Zaman is the only real threat.

 

[Vikram1989]

Normally knowledge has to be translated from one generation to another for the smooth flow of process. In Indian Hockey, foreigners have to impart methodical approach and professionalism in Indian domestic set up . Later Indian coaches/players picked it up and implement .now the present pak batsmen dont have any skills to teach youngsters about long formats. They don't have anything to help for batters against spin even in t20s too .reg pak current lot,Iam getting vibes of 2000 windies .some youngster may arrive like gayle but as a team they will be a mid tier at best even in their preferred t20 format. They can forget about longer formats .

 

[Hikaru]

Pakistan being a good T20 side under Babar was largely an illusion created by playing full strength against minnows or nations that used bilaterals to experiment with B or C sides.

Pakistan got satisfied with the artificial rankings and never bothered to evolve their game for the same reason. Now the gulf is too vast and with the current talent-pool, even attempts to play new-age Cricket only expose the player limitations.

 

[sweep_shot]

Pakistan being a good T20 side under Babar was largely an illusion created by playing full strength against minnows or nations that used bilaterals to experiment with B or C sides.

Pakistan got satisfied with the artificial rankings and never bothered to evolve their game for the same reason. Now the gulf is too vast and with the current talent-pool, even attempts to play new-age Cricket only expose the player limitations.

Pakistan were pretty good in T20 from 2020 till 2022. They reached the semi-final of 2021 World T20 and final of 2022 World T20.

Downfall started from 2023.

 

[chakdeindian]

Not yet..but they are on the border line of Minnow and bottom of the mid tier teams..problem with Pakistan is their players don't have adaptability and mental strength.. basically they are plan A team..they play as per plan A. If it works well, then they will be on song..however if plan A fails, they lack the adaptability to switch to plan b or c as they are mentally weak..the funniest thing is this is applicable even if they play against an associate team or a gully cricket team..

 

[BouncerGuy]

Sunil Gavaskar speaking on the official broadcast post-match:

“I don’t know whether Ajay [Jadeja], Irfan [Pathan] and Veeru [Sehwag] will agree with me or not. But I have been watching Pakistan’s team since 1960, when I used to run from Churchgate station to Brabourne Stadium to see Hanif Mohammad sahab. And this time in this match, for the first time after years, I felt that this is not Pakistan’s team, this is some Popatwadi team,”

 

[Devadwal]

Sunil Gavaskar speaking on the official broadcast post-match:

“I don’t know whether Ajay [Jadeja], Irfan [Pathan] and Veeru [Sehwag] will agree with me or not. But I have been watching Pakistan’s team since 1960, when I used to run from Churchgate station to Brabourne Stadium to see Hanif Mohammad sahab. And this time in this match, for the first time after years, I felt that this is not Pakistan’s team, this is some Popatwadi team,”

Gavaskar Sahab trolling is at another Level.

 

[Nikhil_cric]

Most of the NZ matches were against he 2nd/3rd tier side.

To be honest , their supposed 2nd tier teams are stronger than their main T20 which had Williamson and Conway instead of gun batsmen like Seifert and Chapman.

 

[jnaveen1980]

Pakistan is playing a lot of minnow teams and lower ranked teams oflate to feel good about themselves. If they continue doing that their game will stay at that level. Even at the risk of losing series they should play more against better sides.

 

[Usman Chadda]

Pakistan is playing a lot of minnow teams and lower ranked teams oflate to feel good about themselves. If they continue doing that their game will stay at that level. Even at the risk of losing series they should play more against better sides.

We played Australia, South Africa and New Zealand away in the last year or so. So how are we only playing minnow teams?

 

[jnaveen1980]

We played Australia, South Africa and New Zealand away in the last year or so. So how are we only playing minnow teams?

In 2025 they are playing mostly minnows except NZ.

 

[Usman Chadda]

In 2025 they are playing mostly minnows except NZ.

Within this year, we have played Australia, South Africa and New Zealand away. We'll be playing South Africa again in a month's time, so how have we only played minnows?

Stop increasing your post count by talking rubbish.

 

[The Bald Eagle]

We played Australia, South Africa and New Zealand away in the last year or so. So how are we only playing minnow teams?

Also it may sound odd, PCT needs to invite chuckers for their net practice. This will help them a great deal in future. If you can thrash chuckers, you can thrash anyone
.

 

[prash88]

Even when Pakistan play SENA home or away, SENA teams send their reserve team or at least reserve bowling attack to face Pakistan. How can they rectify this ?

 

[Ball Blazer]

Pakistan are now no superior to Ireland and Zimbabwe

 

[Hellion]

Also it may sound odd, PCT needs to invite chuckers for their net practice. This will help them a great deal in future. If you can thrash chuckers, you can thrash anyone
.

They already practice against Shaheen, Nawaz etc. They are good enough chuckers

 

[The_KING]

Pakistan are minnows in every format, not just T20.

 

[jnaveen1980]

Within this year, we have played Australia, South Africa and New Zealand away. We'll be playing South Africa again in a month's time, so how have we only played minnows?

Stop increasing your post count by talking rubbish.

21 matches 6 matches against 10th ranked BD, 3 matches against 9th ranked Afghanistan, 2 against UAE, 1 against Oman. That is about 12 matches. Other matches B string NZ (5 matches), mid tier WI(3 matches) 1 India. Where is Australaia, SA, England, Mostly weaker sides.

 

[Usman Chadda]

Even when Pakistan play SENA home or away, SENA teams send their reserve team or at least reserve bowling attack to face Pakistan. How can they rectify this ?

When is the last time Australia fielded their full strength XI in a bilateral T20 series against India?

Even South Africa fielded a weak bowling attack in the T20 series against India in home conditions.

We are just finding excuses, our team is not good enough simple as that. Every team plays full strength in Test cricket, why have our players not improved playing that format then?

 

[The Bald Eagle]

They already practice against Shaheen, Nawaz etc. They are good enough chuckers

No we want someone as good as Axar, Harbhajan or Indian Goat bowler

 

[Usman Chadda]

21 matches 6 matches against 10th ranked BD, 3 matches against 9th ranked Afghanistan, 2 against UAE, 1 against Oman. That is about 12 matches. Other matches B string NZ (5 matches), mid tier WI(3 matches) 1 India. Where is Australaia, SA, England, Mostly weaker sides.

We played Australia in Australia in November 2024.

We played South Africa in South Africa in December 2024.

We played New Zealand in New Zealand in March 2025.

10 games against this lot, away from home, is a lot of games.

Why is 2025 a cut off, because you decided? :

As I said, stop increasing your post count and stop trying to talk about things you have no understanding of.

 

[Nikhil_cric]

When is the last time Australia fielded their full strength XI in a bilateral T20 series against India?

Even South Africa fielded a weak bowling attack in the T20 series against India in home conditions.

We are just finding excuses, our team is not good enough simple as that. Every team plays full strength in Test cricket, why have our players not improved playing that format then?

Only Rabada was missing. There still was Jansen , Coetzee and Maharaj .

I don't think even these bowlers played against Pakistan

 

[Hellion]

No we want someone as good as Axar, Harbhajan or Indian Goat bowler

Those bowlers bowl so well with a clean action that even with 45 degree chucking your chuckers won't be able to match them

 

[The Bald Eagle]

Those bowlers bowl so well with a clean action that even with 45 degree chucking your chuckers won't be able to match them

Why not have a test then just like ajmal

 

[Hellion]

Why not have a test then just like ajmal

First test Nawaz and Shaheen, then we'll test whoever.

 

[sweep_shot]

We played Australia in Australia in November 2024.

We played South Africa in South Africa in December 2024.

We played New Zealand in New Zealand in March 2025.

10 games against this lot, away from home, is a lot of games.

Why is 2025 a cut off, because you decided? :

As I said, stop increasing your post count and stop trying to talk about things you have no understanding of.

This JNaveen is one of the most retarded posters I have seen.

As per him, fans have to be from top teams to understand cricket. LOL.

I have placed him on ignore a long time ago. Engaging with him can lower someone's IQ over time.

 

[Usman Chadda]

Only Rabada was missing. There still was Jansen , Coetzee and Maharaj .

I don't think even these bowlers played against Pakistan

We did play Maphaka, who is a starter now for South Africa.

These are just excuses. For some reason, we do get enough games against good opposition and keep getting our butts handed to us. Everyone also forgets we played a full strength England team right before the T20 World Cup 2024.

 

[jnaveen1980]

We played Australia in Australia in November 2024.

We played South Africa in South Africa in December 2024.

We played New Zealand in New Zealand in March 2025.

10 games against this lot, away from home, is a lot of games.

Why is 2025 a cut off, because you decided? :

As I said, stop increasing your post count and stop trying to talk about things you have no understanding of.

There is a reason why i excluded. Because you had Rizwan and Babar. That was not when your supposedly "T20 revolution" started. With new team so far you have played mostly minnows, lowe ranked sides, second string sides. Your new team is not going to grow playing against these guys

 

[The Bald Eagle]

Let's try them all on the same day. And pray for the elimination of actual chuckers ,. Agree mate?

First test Nawaz and Shaheen, then we'll test whoever.

 

[Usman Chadda]

There is a reason why i excluded. Because you had Rizwan and Babar. That was not when your supposedly "T20 revolution" started. With new team so far you have played mostly minnows, lowe ranked sides, second string sides. Your new team is not going to grow playing against these guys

I don't get your point?

You are judging PCB's lack of ability to arrange series against top teams within a two month period (July-September), considering the IPL ended on 25 June 2025?

 

[jnaveen1980]

I don't get your point?

You are judging PCB's lack of ability to arrange series against top teams within a two month period (July-September), considering the IPL ended on 25 June 2025?

What was the point of UAE series? Seriously?

 

[Nikhil_cric]

We did play Maphaka, who is a starter now for South Africa.

These are just excuses. For some reason, we do get enough games against good opposition and keep getting our butts handed to us. Everyone also forgets we played a full strength England team right before the T20 World Cup 2024.

I was just talking about the South Africa tour. I doubt Maphaka is first choice even now, with his economy of near 10.

Until 2022 World T20 , only England and Australia were clearly better than PAK.

Just feel like in the last 2 years, NZ/SA/IND have improved a lot and are playing at a much higher level.

 

[Usman Chadda]

What was the point of UAE series? Seriously?

More games in these conditions? As the series was slated to be a home series for Afghanistan.

You cannot make such a stupid blanket statement about Pakistan not playing enough against top sides, when you are only judging that within a two month period. Pakistan is a garbage team, but gets invited to play against good opposition a bit too much compared to the likes of Sri Lanka, West Indies and Bangladesh.

 

[jnaveen1980]

More games in these conditions? As the series was slated to be a home series for Afghanistan.

You cannot make such a stupid blanket statement about Pakistan not playing enough against top sides, when you are only judging that within a two month period. Pakistan is a garbage team, but gets invited to play against good opposition a bit too much compared to the likes of Sri Lanka, West Indies and Bangladesh.

Then back to back bilaterals against Bangladesh.

 

[Hellion]

Let's try them all on the same day. And pray for the elimination of actual chuckers ,. Agree mate?

No problem. Now write to ICC and convince them

 

[Usman Chadda]

I was just talking about the South Africa tour. I doubt Maphaka is first choice even now, with his economy of near 10.

Until 2022 World T20 , only England and Australia were clearly better than PAK.

Just feel like in the last 2 years, NZ/SA/IND have improved a lot and are playing at a much higher level.

Our bowling was carrying the team, with a performing Shadab supporting the trio of Shaheen, Naseem and Rauf. All of them either lost form or got injured around 2023, which basically brought us to where we are right now.

 

[jnaveen1980]

Our bowling was carrying the team, with a performing Shadab supporting the trio of Shaheen, Naseem and Rauf. All of them either lost form or got injured around 2023, which basically brought us to where we are right now.

Your team is always a team that relies on bowling. Hesson is trying to turn into a "deep batting line up" witih fake all rounders and hackers. Unless they switch back to their strength this trend will continue.

 

[prash88]

India were kind of held down by players like Rohit(before his 2.0 version), Kohli, KL Rahul in T20s. Pakistan were able to nick a game or two earlier. Now India started to harness the full potential of IPL production line and became tactically more smarter in bowler matchups and taking risk-reward.

 

[The Bald Eagle]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1967633477102449111

 

[The Bald Eagle]

No problem. Now write to ICC and convince them

Not jay shah again,

 

[The Bald Eagle]

Pakistan well set to lose against UAE, let's see if they can survive this time. Currently 88/5 against UAE in match 10 of Asia Cup 2025