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Is Pakistan the new minnow of international cricket?

Pakistan is not a minnow- it has good talent pool. The team is run and managed with a minnow mentality. The players are very talented. I still think in the next 15 year cycle- this decade and next, Pak will atleast win 1 important trophy. Will that make Pakistan into a team like India or PcB like BCCI- obviously not, there are 100 other factors that need to come together for that. However they will likely win a cup or atleast get one more elusive win vs India. That will always cover up for things.
 
At test level yes. In ODI level not yet. But at this rate they will get there. In T20 things may look very ugly. This Salman Ali Agha won't walk into even Srilankan team as a player. May be Bangladesh. Here he is captaining the side. Teams have great death bowling, mystery spinners, insane top order hitters, lower order hitters. Pakistan is behind in lot of these areas.
 
No. Pak can still beat any team anywhere without it being termed an upset. Only BD is a true minnow from Asia and is likely to stay that way for years to come.
 
Not yet a minnow but not far away from being one either. It's likely we will become one
 
DeadlyVenom said:
Not yet a minnow but not far away from being one either. It's likely we will become one
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With the amount of chaos that is going on they will soon be there.

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Would be curious to see a BD v PAK serries. Pak is really nowhere close to their prime. BD just lost all it's seniors and is back to being super minnow - and performing as such. Considering both are not playing well, would be a good contest. I bet if both plays a series Vs AFG, both would get humiliated.
 
Babar Azam's W/L ratio against top 5 sides (SENA+I) read as follows:

Tests - 0.22 (5 W, 23 L)
ODIs - 0.57 (28 W, 49 L)
T20Is - 0.86 (32 W, 37 L)

These are pretty dire numbers for games involving your best player.

Pakistan are definitely minnows in test cricket. They're bordering on minnow status in ODIs. They're mid-tier in T20Is, but even that's trending in the wrong direction.
 
A lot of teams are struggling in ODI cricket. England have been pathetic and Australia have no immediate replacements for Warner & Smith etc.

So, Pakistan will do alright there once Saim returns.

Test cricket is finished pretty much everywhere outside of the Big 3 and there's no need to fret about it even if you are becoming minnows.

The problem is T20 cricket. PAK aren't minnows but they look like they can beat only minnows currently
 
Cricket has not been the same since Pakistan declined as a cricketing nation. When Pakistan were the leader in Cricket the game was much better. Only when Pakistan return to the top would this game’s glory be restored.
 
Monday Morning said:
Babar Azam's W/L ratio against top 5 sides (SENA+I) read as follows:

Tests - 0.22 (5 W, 23 L)
ODIs - 0.57 (28 W, 49 L)
T20Is - 0.86 (32 W, 37 L)

These are pretty dire numbers for games involving your best player.

Pakistan are definitely minnows in test cricket. They're bordering on minnow status in ODIs. They're mid-tier in T20Is, but even that's trending in the wrong direction.
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Which teams are top tier in T20Is? And what are their W/L ratios?
 
BouncerGuy said:
And people are still in AWWWWW moment and praising Naqvi. This has to be the most unsettled era and under-performing era in recent years.
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Naqvi cant change the skill issues of PCT in one go. But he should amazing grit with respect to hosting of the Champions Trophy. He delivered more than what was expected. Atleast we should give credit him for that.
 
Bhaijaan said:
Cricket has not been the same since Pakistan declined as a cricketing nation. When Pakistan were the leader in Cricket the game was much better. Only when Pakistan return to the top would this game’s glory be restored.
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Cricket is doomed as a sport if other countries dont rise up.
We keep hoping for miracles but cricket needs a culture in these countries.
Bangladesh always fails to deliver, Afghanistan while delivering will never be a good choice because of the politcal turmoil.
Zimbabwe, Kenya faded away. Ireland also deceived us.
Nepal might come but again will always lack resources because of geography.
 
Bhaijaan said:
Cricket has not been the same since Pakistan declined as a cricketing nation. When Pakistan were the leader in Cricket the game was much better. Only when Pakistan return to the top would this game’s glory be restored.
Click to expand...


Cricket is a game of the subcontinent in reality. When Pakistan was a giant, then the rest of the world took some interest during a Pakistan/India clash. Pakistanis have made up a large fanbase over the years, but with the lack of professionalism and failure to advance the game, the PCB has destroyed a lot of the enthusiasm in that fanbase.

Unfortunately for cricket, if one of the major powers in the game declines, it is a big loss. Even West Indies is a huge loss, and they have a much smaller fanbase worldwide than Pakistan.
 
Cpt. Rishwat said:
Cricket is a game of the subcontinent in reality. When Pakistan was a giant, then the rest of the world took some interest during a Pakistan/India clash. Pakistanis have made up a large fanbase over the years, but with the lack of professionalism and failure to advance the game, the PCB has destroyed a lot of the enthusiasm in that fanbase.

Unfortunately for cricket, if one of the major powers in the game declines, it is a big loss. Even West Indies is a huge loss, and they have a much smaller fanbase worldwide than Pakistan.
Click to expand...

Pakistan’s rise in cricket was organic which is why the whole world especially the white world appreciated it. On the other hand our rise in cricket has been due to political rigging by BCCI which is why we’re never truly accepted by white cricket.
 
Bhaijaan said:
Pakistan’s rise in cricket was organic which is why the whole world especially the white world appreciated it. On the other hand our rise in cricket has been due to political rigging by BCCI which is why we’re never truly accepted by white cricket.
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Yes, it is a shame as India has produced some fine players, but the SENA nations now have a ready made excuse for losing these series.
 
We’re about in line with where we technically should be in theory. India, Australia, England, South Africa all are richer with better cricketing structures. Pakistan as a country is in turmoil. Bangladesh is even now better in terms of economy. Sri Lanka has a better cricketing schooling system. New Zealand while small, is a rich country and a one devoted to sport.

We’re 6th in the world IMO and usually are 6th favourites on most tournaments according to bookmakers. Which really means any time we even make semi finals we are overachieving.

Which is why we can not compete with the top countries just based on talent. We have to find a niche.

Our pitches can support spin and sena is at a disadvantage there. So the logical thing is to develop spinners. Sri Lanka has done this, as have Afghanistan and other nations. For some reason we have ignored this. Fast bowlers are much more difficult to compete with as SENA actually holds an advantage with their pitchers aiding them better.

Pakistan is probably the only country which focuses on their strength being producing players opposite to their conditions, being fast bowers.

The other thing just like New Zealand is you maximise fitness and fielding to edge out every advantage you can. Which again we do not.

I also think instead of constant chopping and changing we need to just back players with long runs in settled positions . You don’t get the best of even average players if you don’t do this. We’re always looking for the next option from domestic and thus it’s just a merry go round.
 
ads101 said:
We’re about in line with where we technically should be in theory. India, Australia, England, South Africa all are richer with better cricketing structures. Pakistan as a country is in turmoil. Bangladesh is even now better in terms of economy. Sri Lanka has a better cricketing schooling system. New Zealand while small, is a rich country and a one devoted to sport.

We’re 6th in the world IMO and usually are 6th favourites on most tournaments according to bookmakers. Which really means any time we even make semi finals we are overachieving.

Which is why we can not compete with the top countries just based on talent. We have to find a niche.

Our pitches can support spin and sena is at a disadvantage there. So the logical thing is to develop spinners. Sri Lanka has done this, as have Afghanistan and other nations. For some reason we have ignored this. Fast bowlers are much more difficult to compete with as SENA actually holds an advantage with their pitchers aiding them better.

Pakistan is probably the only country which focuses on their strength being producing players opposite to their conditions, being fast bowers.

The other thing just like New Zealand is you maximise fitness and fielding to edge out every advantage you can. Which again we do not.

I also think instead of constant chopping and changing we need to just back players with long runs in settled positions . You don’t get the best of even average players if you don’t do this. We’re always looking for the next option from domestic and thus it’s just a merry go round.
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well captured!! 👏
 
Bhaijaan said:
Pakistan’s rise in cricket was organic which is why the whole world especially the white world appreciated it. On the other hand our rise in cricket has been due to political rigging by BCCI which is why we’re never truly accepted by white cricket.
Click to expand...
Pakistan rise was organic?? It was the most corrupt team which used all illegal ways and substances to perform well..it was always covered with so many scandals/controversies and their players have sold their teams multiple times for money..as soon as the cricket laws became stricter and modernized, they started fading away and no longer able to produce bowling or batting legends like they had produced before..we don't need any white worlds approval or acceptance and we are super proud of our rise and dominance..Infact we crave for more..pls stop this slave mentality thinking whites are greater than us..
 
chakdeindian said:
Pakistan rise was organic?? It was the most corrupt team which used all illegal ways and substances to perform well..it was always covered with so many scandals/controversies and their players have sold their teams multiple times for money..as soon as the cricket laws became stricter and modernized, they started fading away and no longer able to produce bowling or batting legends like they had produced before..we don't need any white worlds approval or acceptance and we are super proud of our rise and dominance..Infact we crave for more..pls stop this slave mentality thinking whites are greater than us..
Click to expand...

You got baited.
 
ads101 said:
We’re about in line with where we technically should be in theory. India, Australia, England, South Africa all are richer with better cricketing structures. Pakistan as a country is in turmoil. Bangladesh is even now better in terms of economy. Sri Lanka has a better cricketing schooling system. New Zealand while small, is a rich country and a one devoted to sport.

We’re 6th in the world IMO and usually are 6th favourites on most tournaments according to bookmakers. Which really means any time we even make semi finals we are overachieving.

Which is why we can not compete with the top countries just based on talent. We have to find a niche.

Our pitches can support spin and sena is at a disadvantage there. So the logical thing is to develop spinners. Sri Lanka has done this, as have Afghanistan and other nations. For some reason we have ignored this. Fast bowlers are much more difficult to compete with as SENA actually holds an advantage with their pitchers aiding them better.

Pakistan is probably the only country which focuses on their strength being producing players opposite to their conditions, being fast bowers.

The other thing just like New Zealand is you maximise fitness and fielding to edge out every advantage you can. Which again we do not.

I also think instead of constant chopping and changing we need to just back players with long runs in settled positions . You don’t get the best of even average players if you don’t do this. We’re always looking for the next option from domestic and thus it’s just a merry go round.
Click to expand...
yup.

Bangladesh will keep getting richer and are already outperforming Pak in junior levels.
 
Cpt. Rishwat said:
If money was able to produce world class athletes, then India would be sweeping Olympic golds and have a star studded football team.
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I mean India has already become better than what it was in Olympics.

Things like Asian Games etc it is now a clear 4th behind the Asian big 3.

There are decades and decades of growth left as India is still only a $3000 pci country.

There is a direct co-relation between wealth and sporting/artistic success.

As India becomes richer, all those things will come.

You might deny it but then that's fine.

If in 2008 someone told you this is what cricket would be like today, you would have denied it too.
 
saimayubera said:
I mean India has already become better than what it was in Olympics.

Things like Asian Games etc it is now a clear 4th behind the Asian big 3.

There are decades and decades of growth left as India is still only a $3000 pci country.

There is a direct co-relation between wealth and sporting/artistic success.

As India becomes richer, all those things will come.

You might deny it but then that's fine.

If in 2008 someone told you this is what cricket would be like today, you would have denied it too.
Click to expand...

Money will definitely help, but it won't necessarily produce a line of fast bowlers in Bangladesh if the pool is smaller than it would be in Australia or West Indies.
 
Cpt. Rishwat said:
Money will definitely help, but it won't necessarily produce a line of fast bowlers in Bangladesh if the pool is smaller than it would be in Australia or West Indies.
Click to expand...
Economic growth means better nutrition and better health.

Nahid Rana is already a very tall and fast Bangladeshi young bowler who has bowled Bangladesh to a test series win in Pakistan.

More and more will come up.

Australia is a rich first world country. WI are also middle income. They have maxed out their genetic potential.

Subcontinent hasn't.
 
saimayubera said:
I mean India has already become better than what it was in Olympics.

Things like Asian Games etc it is now a clear 4th behind the Asian big 3.

There are decades and decades of growth left as India is still only a $3000 pci country.

There is a direct co-relation between wealth and sporting/artistic success.

As India becomes richer, all those things will come.

You might deny it but then that's fine.

If in 2008 someone told you this is what cricket would be like today, you would have denied it too.
Click to expand...
Agree with this. The reason why Pakistan is ahead right now is because they are more established, started cricket earlier.

Yes if China suddenly competing they would do badly, the interest isn’t there. But Bangladesh is different it’s a cricket mad country, large population, improving economy. It’s going to get better over time. I hope it won’t ever be better than Pakistan but it Pakistan’s economy continues to fall and Bangladesh’s continues to rise it really seems like a serious possibility.

Pakistan aren’t minnows and can still beat quality sides. That is thanks to our cricketing history. If for example Pakistan had started cricket now or even when Afghanistan did, with this economy we’d be minnows most likely.

It’s an obvious disadvantage and we can’t really do anything to control it. Even lack of access to IPL hurts us too unfortunately. But as I said before focus on the things we can control, fitness, fielding, settled positions, keeping confidence high and creating a niche for home conditions eg spin. We do none of that and somehow just believe that this team should be competing at the top automatically despite disadvantages in talent pool, cricketing structure and wealth. Just makes little logical sense.
 
ads101 said:
Agree with this. The reason why Pakistan is ahead right now is because they are more established, started cricket earlier.

Yes if China suddenly competing they would do badly, the interest isn’t there. But Bangladesh is different it’s a cricket mad country, large population, improving economy. It’s going to get better over time. I hope it won’t ever be better than Pakistan but it Pakistan’s economy continues to fall and Bangladesh’s continues to rise it really seems like a serious possibility.

Pakistan aren’t minnows and can still beat quality sides. That is thanks to our cricketing history. If for example Pakistan had started cricket now or even when Afghanistan did, with this economy we’d be minnows most likely.

It’s an obvious disadvantage and we can’t really do anything to control it. Even lack of access to IPL hurts us too unfortunately. But as I said before focus on the things we can control, fitness, fielding, settled positions, keeping confidence high and creating a niche for home conditions eg spin. We do none of that and somehow just believe that this team should be competing at the top automatically despite disadvantages in talent pool, cricketing structure and wealth. Just makes little logical sense.
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Bangladesh in the last decade have already done things Pakistanis would have thought unimaginable before.

Whitewash in ODIs 2015.

Kicked Pak out of Asia Cups in 2016 and 2018.

Away whitewash in tests 2024.
 
And now lost to a New Zealand C-team yet again...

We should be considered a minnow team after this
 
Asad T said:
And now lost to a New Zealand C-team yet again...

We should be considered a minnow team after this
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More a reflection of NZ's bench strength and talent pool.

Pound for pound, they are miles ahead of everyone else currently.
 
What is a minnow? A minnow is a team that has never won any ICC trophy and/or is outside of top 8 in ranking.

Therefore, I don't think Pakistan is a minnow despite the recent hiccups. I think they are #6 in world cricket.
 
charlie007 said:
Nah! Too much quality to be considered a minnow. Even won recently in SA and Aus.
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Wasn't this against their less than full strength teams? Winning against top teams where they are not playing some of their top players shouldn't count, rather it is delusional.
 
Pakistan is definitely not a minnow but now in serious danger of just being a 7th-10th ranking team and competing mostly vs SL, WI, BD, AFG
 
A minnow team doesn’t win a T20I in New Zealand bro. It was a huge achievement by this young team.
 
zarak said:
You mean agents and Saya type stuff.
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100%

Zaka came in at a time when grip of this nexus was extremely tight around the throat of Pakistan cricket. He had to endure first hand trouble at the hands of their ringleader hiding in the shadows when the players/agency were blackmailing the PCB on the central contracted issue around the 2023 World Cup.

He swallowed his pride at the time for the sake of Pakistan, but he was ready to lay down a process that was going to rid Pakistan cricket from the shackles that it found itself in due to the pathetic work of Wasim Khan and Co. Who let this evil creep in.
 
Honestly, at this point, anyone outside SENA+I could be considered minnows. The gulf between SENA+I and the rest is massive. Pakistan maybe ranked 7th (Afghanistan take the 6th spot), but really they're not much better than the 10th ranked side (WI or BD).
 
Rana said:
100%

Zaka came in at a time when grip of this nexus was extremely tight around the throat of Pakistan cricket. He had to endure first hand trouble at the hands of their ringleader hiding in the shadows when the players/agency were blackmailing the PCB on the central contracted issue around the 2023 World Cup.

He swallowed his pride at the time for the sake of Pakistan, but he was ready to lay down a process that was going to rid Pakistan cricket from the shackles that it found itself in due to the pathetic work of Wasim Khan and Co. Who let this evil creep in.
Click to expand...
I get your point but we are also pretty crap regardless. Players coming in are below standard.
 
Rana said:
Thank you Imran Khan

Thank you Misbah

Thank you Wasim Khan

Thank you SNGPL

Thank you Multan Sultans
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Bro what’s Pakistani awaam take on Immy Khan after his PM stint and all the dramebazi he been doing.

His nearest non cricketing rival in our country is a man called Arvind Kejriwal. People believed in him once and gave him many chances in power to do something for public but turned out he was worse than Congress/BJP. Now public has taken power back from him and he’s barely out in bail.
 
Pakistan rank #4 or #5 in ODI rankings. That's not minnow.

Pakistan are a mid-tier team.
 
Bhaijaan said:
Bro what’s Pakistani awaam take on Immy Khan after his PM stint and all the dramebazi he been doing.

His nearest non cricketing rival in our country is a man called Arvind Kejriwal. People believed in him once and gave him many chances in power to do something for public but turned out he was worse than Congress/BJP. Now public has taken power back from him and he’s barely out in bail.
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Hopefully just one day in a torture cell will teach you how to do a DRAMABAZI in life.

Well, I take it back. Just a regular cell would do!
 
Officially a minnow as of today. The green titanic has sunk. Some die hard fans have chosen to go down with the ship and that’s admirable.

But many left even before the Mirpuri ice berg struck
 
Pakistan has lost the ability to win for sure.

Something is not quite right with the present players. They seem to be stuck in a rut of mediocrity. The old spark and passion are missing
 
It’s fine we were playing a young side and still was close.

Personally think it was better to win. And I think we should have played Saim. Fakhar too but heard he was injured.

You don’t learn much playing a team full of youngsters. You want to play 2 max really along the regular side with the actual opportunity to cement a place.
 
YousafTheBeast said:
He had to after he realised how wrong he was about Rizwan, Babar, Imam etc.

Imam was meant to be the next Saeed Anwar.

Shaheen was meant to be the next great thing since Waqar and Wasim.

@Mamoon i know you see this from your email.
Click to expand...

To be fair, many from that era have left. I can see why Mamoon no longer finds it fun. Even Saj left. :inti

This is a new era of PP I guess.
 
YousafTheBeast said:
He had to after he realised how wrong he was about Rizwan, Babar, Imam etc.

Imam was meant to be the next Saeed Anwar.

Shaheen was meant to be the next great thing since Waqar and Wasim.

@Mamoon i know you see this from your email.
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Mamoon is a poster i remember but haven't seen him post recently maybe he's looking at becoming a coach or a journalist.... His writing style was good the predictions about players not so much. :shaheen
 
sweep_shot said:
To be fair, many from that era have left. I can see why Mamoon no longer finds it fun. Even Saj left. :inti

This is a new era of PP I guess.
Click to expand...
Saj still does interviews just doesn't post now.... Pakistan winning an ICC tournament will see WWE style returns.
 
Last tournament Pakistan was won CT in 2017.

After 2017 these are the stats for all countries in multi national events. Pakistan has not won anything in 9 years including Asia cup/Asian games. They have reached 3 finals.

Screenshot-2026-03-15-142602.jpg
 
jnaveen1980 said:
Last tournament Pakistan was won CT in 2017.

After 2017 these are the stats for all countries in multi national events. Pakistan has not won anything in 9 years including Asia cup/Asian games. They have reached 3 finals.

Screenshot-2026-03-15-142602.jpg
Click to expand...

Your table looks very stupid. Not sure what you are trying to say here. :inti

Maybe you filtered too much. Filter it again with a calm brain.
 
Cric1234 said:
Record of teams in finals since 2017 includes ICC events and other tournaments.
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Seems like his intention was to make India look good. LMAO.

If he wanted to focus on India, why start from 2017? Why not 2000? :qdkcheeky

Just another dishonest sanghi I guess.
 
Pakistan has not reached under-19 world cup final since 2014. So there is an overall decline in the last 10 years. Babar Azam's statpadding and occasionaly Shaheen's show managed to keep the people happy. Truth is Pakistan cricket continually regressing.
 
The current players might win a good game here and there, but they are just too erratic and inconsistent to win anything major, in the short-term at least.

To win a tournament, the first and foremost ingredient is consistency.
 
AZulfi said:
The current players might win a good game here and there, but they are just too erratic and inconsistent to win anything major, in the short-term at least.

To win a tournament, the first and foremost ingredient is consistency.
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Also flexibility like in the world t20 playing Agha at 3 and Babar at 4 wasn't going to work against the best teams. A change of batting order against England might have won the match.... Then you're only 1 win away from the final which means 6 wins and 1 loss a good consistent tournament with only 1 below par performance before the final a good performance with the team selected.
 
Any test team who loses to BD is a minnow. But seriously full strength Pak will decimate BD 8/10 times
 
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