The eight-wicket hammering by Afghanistan was Pakistan’s third straight defeat after starting their campaign with two back-to-back wins.But they lost the next three matches to India, Australia and the Afghans.
The team has been inconsistent in all three departments of the game, with their dropped catches and lapses in the field costing them crucial game-changing runs.
Former Pakistan players Moin Khan and Wasim Akram blamed it on poor planning and lack of importance to the players’ fitness standards
“We could clearly see that all (players) were lethargic, looked fatigued, kisi se fielding nahi ho rahi thi (nobody was able to field),” said Moin on the Pakistan news channel ‘A Sports’.
AFG vs PAK: Afghanistan top order scripts memorable win against Pakistan| ICC World Cup 2023
“The main reason is that you went for Sri Lanka tour (before World Cup) in such (humid) climate. And for three months! We all have played there, you get drained out. You played Test series first, then played against Afghanistan and didn’t give chance to youngsters…then Asia Cup also you accepted the hybrid model, that was also in Sri Lanka,” the former Pakistan wicketkeeper said.
In contrast, the Afghan players put up a clinical show to first limit Pakistan to under 300 and then chase down the target of 283 with precision for an emphatic eight-wicket win, which is their first ever over Pakistan after seven defeats.
Led first by teenage spinner Noor Ahmad’s spell of 3/49 and then a half-century each from the top three batsmen, Afghanistan scripted their second big upset of the tournament, having beaten the defending champions England earlier.
Openers Rahmanullah Gurbaz (65) and Ibrahim Zadran (87), who was adjudged ‘Player of the Match’, gave a rollicking start to the Afghanistan run-chase by puting up a big partnership of 130 runs.
Rahmat Shah, batting at No. 3, ensured that the momentum was not lost and stayed unbeaten at 77. Skipper Hashmatullah Shahidi played an equally important knock of 47 not out in an undefeated partnership of 96 runs with Shah.
Akram, who has been repeatedly calling for proper fitness tests to assess players, couldn’t agree more with his former teammate Moin.
(A dejected Pakistan captain, Babar Azam – AP Photo)
“See the fitness levels (of Pakistan players). We have been shouting on this show for three weeks that in the last two years there has been no fitness test. Now shall I name individuals?” said the legendary fast bowler.
“You are getting paid as professionals, playing for your country. There has to be a certain criteria…When Misbah (ul Haq) was the coach, he had that criteria (to assess fitness levels). Players hated him, but it worked. Fielding is all about fitness, and that’s where we are lacking. It’s unfortunate,” Akram added.
“Now it’s left to prayers, ifs and buts, we win next four matches, other teams lose. Maybe we reach the semifinals, but that’s a big maybe.”
