After losing the test series against England by 1-0 earlier this year, Pakistan has easily defeated the minnows “Zimbabwe” in their own backyard in T20l and ODI fixtures. The next Pakistan team has featured in 3 T20l and 2 Tests series against New Zealand during the last half of the 2020 season. The major players from both the sides were not the part of T20l fixtures for all the games, yet New Zealand has outplayed the visitors (Pakistan) and won the T20l series by 2-1. Tim Seifert was adjudged with man of the series for scoring 176 runs in 3 games (57, 84*, 35). While Tim Southee has picked up 6 wickets in 2 T20l games. For Pakistan there wasn’t much to cheer for except some individual performance from Mohammad Hafeez who scored 140 runs in 3 games. From captaincy to batting then to bowling everything has gone wrong for visitors (Pakistan).
With players like Mohammad Amir (who was not the part of T20l fixtures was another Pakistan lost the T20l series) has announced his retirement at the age of 29 just before the start of Test Series has raised too many questions over the selection committee of Pakistan. In the transition period which Pakistan is going through they need the experienced players to be the torch-bearer for the team. With the test series ahead Pakistan is still playing without a player like Wahab Riaz (genuine match-winner) which is another reason they will not stand against New Zealand in the upcoming series. Fast bowling is always the X-factor for Pakistan from the ages in the overseas conditions and if a team is playing without the match-winners it is difficult to imagine if they can trouble the hosts (New Zealand) in the test series. They have to figure out the best playing XI for the test series. Having said, let us take a look at the three reasons behind the failure of Pakistan in the T20l fixtures.
PAKISTAN WAS PLAYING WITHOUT THE GENUINE EXPERIENCE FAST-BOWLERS:
Although it is a format which hardly provides any benefits to a bowler with modern day rules and regulations. But a team can not win a series in the overseas conditions of New Zealand without the quality fast bowlers and Seamers which are more dangerous on the bouncy and fast tracks. With the bowlers like Shaheen Afridi and Wahab Riaz (who went wicket less in a series) there was no support to Harris Rauf who got 5 wickets in 3 games of T20l fixtures.
While in the New Zealand team they have depth in the fast bowling line-up with the likes of Trent Boult, Tim Southee (who get 6 wickets in 2 games), Jacob Duffy (4/33 in the first T20l game and was the man of the match in his debut game), Kyle Jamieson and Daryl Mitchell. Or even the New Zealand team has the strong bench who can replace any player in the line-up. Pakistan team do not have too many fast bowling options to rely on and even when the regular players are effective things turned into worse for the team.
PINCH HITTERS ELEMENT WAS MISSING IN THE PAKISTAN LINE-UP:
The T20l format has completely revolved around one thing and that’s the “Pinch Hitters". With leading run-scorer from Pakistan was only Mohammad Hafeez (140 runs in 3 T20l games) apart from him there was no other Pakistan batsman who has looked to play with any intent expect the Mohammad Rizwan 89 runs innings in the final T20l game which was the only match Pakistan has won with 4 Wickets.
While for the New Zealand team the pinch-hitters from Tim Seifert (176 runs in 3 T20l games), Kane Williamson and Devon Conway everyone have played an anchored role for the team in the situation team needed from their players. Even the first game which New Zealand was playing without the regular players still they have emerged out as winners with the brilliant knock from Tim Seifert 43-ball 57 which featured 6 fours and 1 six.
CLUELESS AND ABSURD CAPTAIN OF PAKISTAN TEAM:
Although Pakistan don’t have a good team line-up to compete against one of the best teams like New Zealand in current cricket times. But a captain with a vision like Imran Khan was a brief that even impossible was made possible like the 1992 world cup. While the current captain like Shahdab Khan who was captained for the first time in T20l format. With no experience in the captaincy before Shahdab Khan was completely absurd with his decisions in the T20l fixtures.
With regular players taking up retirement because of selectors and the current players being unable to perform against good teams makes the situation worse for Pakistan. The T20l World cup will be next year and Pakistan has to figure out and select the best playing XI who can play much better cricket from current situation or in the ICC Tournament like T20l World Cup.
