Is Pakistan going into a T20 World Cup for the first time with zero expectations?

[Savak]

Don't think the fans had any expectations from the 2016 T-20 WC squad or the 2021 T-20 WC squad as in both tournaments our team was terribly out of form and written off by pundits. Even the 2017 CT comes to mind where non of the tv experts even mentioned Pakistan as the favorites or even in contention for a semi final place and mind you we had just barely qualified for that tournament by whiskers.

But these teams atleast had some experienced players who were still in their prime and some fresh youngsters as well. I can't think of any positives about the T-20 squad going into the WC in the US, West Indies, too many players have been out of form for ages and have been playing purely on reputations, past performances and the youngsters in the form of Saim Ayub, Azam Khan have not delivered.

 

[Rana]

What???

No!

-Worlds best opening pair
-World’s best new ball bowler
-World’s best spin all rounder Shadab
-Captain leading for the 3rd tournament having reached Semi’s and Final!

Pakistan better win this time! We didn’t ruin a guy for 1 series captaincy to go into the World Cup with no expectations!

 

[Nikhil_cric]

But aren't Pakistan at their most dangerous when everyone has written them off.

 

[mominsaigol]

2017 was when psl was played in UAE on proper pitches, plus all merit based psl superstars were chosen, playing in their correct positions with a captain who has a history of pulling upsets.

2024 doesn't have the captain nor does it have the talent, nor is the standard of PSL what it once was when played in UAE.

 

[Rana]

2017 was when psl was played in UAE on proper pitches, plus all merit based psl superstars were chosen, playing in their correct positions with a captain who has a history of pulling upsets.

2024 doesn't have the captain nor does it have the talent, nor is the standard of PSL what it once was when played in UAE.

This is karma. It’s not a small, few months of humiliation. It’s a sustained, prolonged amount of humiliation based on many years. They did Sarfaraz wrong, they rewrite the history books of mediocrity with the longest chapters now.

 

[The Bald Eagle]

The good thing about recent loss is that nobody is expecting something special from them and the good thing is they play really well as under dogs.

 

[mominsaigol]

This is karma. It’s not a small, few months of humiliation. It’s a sustained, prolonged amount of humiliation based on many years. They did Sarfaraz wrong, they rewrite the history books of mediocrity with the longest chapters now.

Bro these cricketers who come from poverty are always better players, better captains and better people then those that don't like misbah or azam.

These people work life and limb to succeed because if they don't, it's poverty and misery, they don't have fall back options like babar had with akmal representations, Azam had with moin Khan and misbah had with his degrees etc.

People like sarfi, Fakhar, and lads in domestic are just better players and better leaders Overall. They don't have the luxury of being cake boys or showcasing arrogance. This respected misbah nonsense needs to end, all his interviews are pure sarcasm or outbursts and attacks to others and babar just gives middle fingers to fans all the time lol.

Even azam in his interviews was saying, a dad told me he would drop me but when he saw me training (HAHAHAHAHA) he said okay son you're back in the team as our star player. Like bro azam that is not something to boast about and tell in an inspirational interview setting .

 

[Flat_Track_Bully]

The last ODI WC and current form does not fill with me confidence. I am expecting a group stage exit.

 

[mazkhan]

I would call it a massive achievement if we qualify from the group stages.

I'm keeping expectations low

 

[PakLFC]

I don't expect much from this awful Pak team. The middle order will not frighten anyone with us depending on useless tail enders like Shadab to get us runs. What this guy does batting at 5 or 6 is hard to believe. I expect Pak to lose too a minnow side like Ireland or the USA like always.

 

[AAli98]

Doesn’t this team get fed in Pak ain’t there food stalls in Lahore Peshawar etc ? All I seen them do in the uk was jumping from one junk food joint to another.. & the results are there for everyone to see. azam khan bringing burgers in the hotel at 11pm

Greedy nation just hungry for food

 

[Cricket Warrior]

everytime they go with same expectations but this time they are going with clarity that "hum nahi jeetay ga" lol

 

[YousafTheBeast]

We were given two golden chances to win silverware in the previous editions of the WT20, have a feeling we’re due a “bad” tournament with a group stage exit.

Congratulations India and Ireland.

 

[hoshiarpurexpress]

Doesn’t this team get fed in Pak ain’t there food stalls in Lahore Peshawar etc ? All I seen them do in the uk was jumping from one junk food joint to another.. & the results are there for everyone to see. azam khan bringing burgers in the hotel at 11pm

Greedy nation just hungry for food

It's the same thing they did in India. They were on a food safari? Don't they get decent food in Pakistan?

 

[Flat_Track_Bully]

You know when was the last time I saw Pakistan play with passion?

New Zealand T20 WC 2021 match. It was after NZ pulled out at the last minute when they were touring Pakistan.

 

[moghul]

Any team with Shadab, Azam and Chacaha its # 5,6,7 batters have no chance, might struggle to beat USA and Canada too.

 

[BouncerGuy]

I don't see any passion in this team. This team looks like a bunch of defeated individuals who lost hope a long time ago and are dead from the inside. The only passion I saw was when Pakistan defeated India in the 2021 World Cup and then they went on to face India again in the 2022 World Cup.

There is zero expectation and this is not just the first time, whenever we had expectations from this team, this team let fans down badly.

 

[cricketmania22]

I don't see any passion in this team. This team looks like a bunch of defeated individuals who lost hope a long time ago and are dead from the inside. The only passion I saw was when Pakistan defeated India in the 2021 World Cup and then they went on to face India again in the 2022 World Cup.

There is zero expectation and this is not just the first time, whenever we had expectations from this team, this team let fans down badly.

Our cricket history is full of letdowns. The 1996 quarterfinal loss against India was a significant disappointment. The 1999 World Cup loss against India was even more disheartening. Pakistan was consistently beating the Indian team for fun during those times, but when that crucial match came, Pakistan lost. The 1999 World Cup final was a disaster as well. The less said about the 2003 and 2007 World Cups, the better. The 2011 World Cup brought another disaster against India, where the team showed no will to win. In 2015, our performance was lackluster again. Wahab Riaz's spell was the only highlight for us in the World Cup, which, to be honest, is overrated because we had nothing else to cheer for. In the 2019 World Cup, Pakistan did well by their own standards, even though they didn’t qualify. The 2023 World Cup was another disaster.

In T20 World Cups, we have comparatively done better but have always fallen short (except for 2009) because we never had the team to go all the way.

There are a lot of Pakistani fans who blame Babar Azam for not winning the trophy and keep lamenting him, but they conveniently forget that Pakistan has a history full of letdowns. Babar is captaining a far inferior team compared to those led by Wasim Akram, Waqar Younis, and Inzamam-ul-Haq, who also never won anything. The buck doesn’t stop at Babar, he is continuing the legacy of letting fans down, albeit with a far inferior team.

 

[Cric1234]

Maybe Imad should be promoted up the order with Usman and Saim played as floaters because if we rely on Babar and Rizwan opening with Azam and Iftikhar in the middle order then there is little hope of winning high scoring matches against the better teams.

 

[Asif321]

Under babar azam and this batting I don’t see Pakistan going past super 8 . I really hope they do . And pray finally Saim and azam click on these pitches and make a mark for themselves but it’s highly unlikely .

 

[pratiktc]

Too much negativity.

Yes the team is not among favourites but if the wickets are not completely flat, then at 170-180 games Pak is in with a chance.

Shaheen is world class and Babar can get the runs and there are bunch of people who can chip in with cameos

 

[Usman Chadda]

This team on paper is better than the 2021 and 2022 editions, yet it seems as if it's the weakest going into this tournament.

 

[AAli98]

It's the same thing they did in India. They were on a food safari? Don't they get decent food in Pakistan?

Doubt it.. look at the picture below Fakhar zaman laying into Lamb like its going to run away.

 

[BouncerGuy]

This team on paper is better than the 2021 and 2022 editions, yet it seems as if it's the weakest going into this tournament.

Yeah, man. The defeats in recent series are the main reason, TBH. That defeat against Ireland also shattered the confidence of this side.

 

[Rana]

Yes the team is not among favourites but if the wickets are not completely flat, then at 170-180 games Pak is in with a chance.

Why do you think teams like Australia, England, India, SA and NZ all of a sudden become weaker and Pakistan become stronger if wickets are not completely flat?

You either are strong with what you have in the squad or you are not strong enough

 

[Usman Chadda]

Yeah, man. The defeats in recent series are the main reason, TBH. That defeat against Ireland also shattered the confidence of this side.

One common theme in either WCs was Shadab being our highest wicket-taker in both the editions.

We harp on about our pace bowlers, it was actually Shadab who controlled the games in the middle overs and provided the right balance for the rest of the bowlers to deliver.

Shadab's downfall has directly correlated with our loss of form in T20 cricket at least. Who would have thought?

 

[Nikhil_cric]

One common theme in either WCs was Shadab being our highest wicket-taker in both the editions.

We harp on about our pace bowlers, it was actually Shadab who controlled the games in the middle overs and provided the right balance for the rest of the bowlers to deliver.

Shadab's downfall has directly correlated with our loss of form in T20 cricket at least. Who would have thought?

This. Shadab was the reason why Pakistan beat and even competed with India in the last 3 years. He controlled the middle overs in a way that Chahal and other Indian spinners could not control PAK in the middle overs

 

[Usman Chadda]

This. Shadab was the reason why Pakistan beat and even competed with India in the last 3 years. He controlled the middle overs in a way that Chahal and other Indian spinners could not control PAK in the middle overs

Quite interesting.

I guess we desperately need Shadab back in form.

 

[Nikhil_cric]

Quite interesting.

I guess we desperately need Shadab back in form.

Or at least hope that Abrar and Imad duo can provide similar control.

 

[mominsaigol]

This team on paper is better than the 2021 and 2022 editions, yet it seems as if it's the weakest going into this tournament.

Mainly cause other teams have gotten stringer that's why.

 

[Master Blaster]

This is a white lie. T20 is the choosen format of Pak. It is Pakistan's strongest format. The rain curtailed Pom series was a disaster which dethroned Pakistan from being the top most T20 team in the world. But they are still in the top three in this format.

It will be a cake cutting walk into the semis this T20 world cup for Pakistan.

 

[Inswinging Yorker]

CORRECT, THEY ARE MOST LIKELY TO BE KNOCKED OUT IN THE FIRST ROUNDS

 

[amvbfm]

Isn’t it always the case before a major tournament? Not the first time and certainly won’t be the last time where we enter a tournament on a losing streak. I wouldn’t read too much into it. The real issue is not the losses but i)the balance and makeup of the squad selected 2)Babar and the Pakistan think tank’s refusal to learn from their mistakes.

Not to say that there should or could have been massive changes in the squad selected but the couple of changes that should have been made would have made a difference especially if the management was dead set on picking two useless players in Shadab and Azam. A cornerstone of Pakistan’s selection philosophy was Shadab’s supposed all round game which is the reason why we have 5 pace bowlers in the squad and no middle order or all round backup and Abrar finds himself out of the playing XI. Shadab’s woes with the ball are amplified by Babar’s refusal to bowl more than 5 bowlers.

Pakistan hasn’t played badly in the last 4 games, they have just not picked the right team and used their resources well. The first Ireland T20 and in Birmingham Pakistan were competitive. The main difference was Shadab’s spell: 109 runs in 8 overs! Yet Babar didn’t try Ifti or Saim. Yesterday we got a good start but Shadab and Azam got exposed in positions they do not belong. I just don’t understand the point of an orthodox batsman like Iftikhar at 7.

I still wouldn’t count out Pakistan given the tournament’s structure and the expected playing conditions and expect them to get to the super eights. From there Babar’s captaincy and team selection and Shadab’s form will be the key.

 

[pratiktc]

Why do you think teams like Australia, England, India, SA and NZ all of a sudden become weaker and Pakistan become stronger if wickets are not completely flat?

You either are strong with what you have in the squad or you are not strong enough

No, but if wickets are flat then par becomes 200-210 for which around 25-30 boundaries per inns will be needed which is near impossible for Pak to achieve.

At 170-180, the boundary requirement drops to 20-24 which is realistic to target.

Wickets being spicy immediately drop the boundary intent percentage of batters. Also Pak's one world class skill is Shaheen's striking ability in the Power Play which can get accentuated with movement and further reduce oppositions boundary percentage by shutting down the first 4 overs. This atleast brings target within reach of an optimal Pak batting performance.

 

[hoshiarpurexpress]

Doubt it.. look at the picture below Fakhar zaman laying into Lamb like its going to run away.

Lol... I wonder why these guys treat every foreign tour as a picnic. One or two times is okay for socialising but these guys take it to extreme.

 

[Cricket Warrior]

CORRECT, THEY ARE MOST LIKELY TO BE KNOCKED OUT IN THE FIRST ROUNDS

No... i think with the help of Qudrat ka Nizam they will somehow reach to the Super Eights

 

[AAli98]

Lol... I wonder why these guys treat every foreign tour as a picnic. One or two times is okay for socialising but these guys take it to extreme.

Theyv zero interest in cricket & this World Cup they just want to go from house to house eat & eat. They earn at least $15000 per month but still hungry for free food from restaurants. They have zero fitness a rhino for a keeper all nepotism.as a nation run by crooks everyone’s after food khai jao

Feel sorry for the fans that go & watch this sham of a team.

 

[jnaveen1980]

If every team plays to their potential there is no chance for Pakistan or even India for that matter. But that rarely happens. Teams don't live up to their potential in these events. WI almost botched their chase. SA with a bit more stiffer target would have choked. Given that there are only a handful of favorites and 2 teams minimum likely to choke Pakistan has as much chance as other teams.

 

[Cricket Warrior]

Quite interesting.

I guess we desperately need Shadab back in form.

I think we desperately need shadab back in Pakistan bro

 

[cricketmania22]

If every team plays to their potential there is no chance for Pakistan or even India for that matter. But that rarely happens. Teams don't live up to their potential in these events. WI almost botched their chase. SA with a bit more stiffer target would have choked. Given that there are only a handful of favorites and 2 teams minimum likely to choke Pakistan has as much chance as other teams.

Pakistan should hire your as that their motivational coach. I think even Pakistan cricket team might not have as much confidence in themselves as you’re showing here. lol

 

[jnaveen1980]

Pakistan should hire your as that their motivational coach. I think even Pakistan cricket team might not have as much confidence in themselves as you’re showing here. lol

It is the truth Look at 2022. Pakistan was almost certain to be eliminated when the Ned vs SA game started. The Full-strength SA team failed to chase a moderate total against the Netherlands. The 2021 format was designed in such a way that they just needed one win against a bigger team in the first round. Pakistan won the toss and the match against India. Voila. In the semi-final. Similarly in 2024 schedule Pakistan has two chokers in their group. West Indies and South Africa. So it is very realistic Pakistan can beat both of them and make it through to semi final.

 

[cricketmania22]

It is the truth Look at 2022. Pakistan was almost certain to be eliminated when the Ned vs SA game started. The Full-strength SA team failed to chase a moderate total against the Netherlands. The 2021 format was designed in such a way that they just needed one win against a bigger team in the first round. Pakistan won the toss and the match against India. Voila. In the semi-final. Similarly in 2024 schedule Pakistan has two chokers in their group. West Indies and South Africa. So it is very realistic Pakistan can beat both of them and make it through to semi final.

Agreed about 2022 bur in 2021 T20 WC Pakistan won all the group matches though. I won’t put that down to luck. Also Pakistan won so clinically against India that even without due Pakistan would have won. Dew would have played a factor if the match was close, but India never made any inroads.

 

[jnaveen1980]

Agreed about 2022 bur in 2021 T20 WC Pakistan won all the group matches though. I won’t put that down to luck. Also Pakistan won so clinically against India that even without due Pakistan would have won. Dew would have played a factor if the match was close, but India never made any inroads.

I don't say luck. I say they just had to have one good day and not to have banana skin game in 2021. In 2022 they did lose to Zimbabwe though. That is where SA loss to Ned comes into picture.

 

[deltexas]

Pak doesn't deserve to be in the SFs just like Ind. Such a defensive batting approach- so boring to watch.. every time you are 10 runs short nonsense. And when they lose- blame the pitch or outfield or dew or whatever just like their ind counterparts. The Ireland Pakistan game will be a banana peel game..

 

[ask_analyse_act]

We were given two golden chances to win silverware in the previous editions of the WT20, have a feeling we’re due a “bad” tournament with a group stage exit.

Congratulations India and Ireland.

Congrats India and USA

 

[Shaheenthefalcon]

You bet…my man!. Now they are playing video games in hotel rooms as its gloomy outside. Captain Babar is trying his batting on EA cricket…where his strike rate still wont up more than 115…

 

[GillEdits]

And they did match our expectations, lol.