Pakistan cricket team is going through one of the worst phases in history. The team’s back-to-back losses have not only pissed off the fans but also invited a lot of criticism from their former cricketers.
Background
A bunch of clueless cricketers, a messed up cricket board, and a furious bunch of fans! This would be the best way to describe Pakistan cricket. The country that has produced a lot of legendary cricketers in the history of the game has tumbled to the canvas in their recent matches, even to significantly lower teams.
Pakistan met a lot of historical losses this year. They lost to Ireland, lost to the USA in the T20 World Cup 2024, got defeated by India in a winnable match in the 2024 T20I World Cup, and now lost a Test match and a series against Bangladesh for the first time in history. The last Test series defeat hurts even more as it was on their home soil.
Who is there to blame? Ex-cricketers slam the players and the board alike. Many accuse PCB of corruption and favoritism in team selection. A lot of blame went to their star batter, Babar Azam, who led the team in the T20I World Cup. Former Pakistan cricketer Kamran Akmal even said that PCB should learn from BCCI, their arch-rivals in cricket. Kamran lauded the professionalism of the Board of Control for Cricket in India.
“PCB should learn from BCCI, their professionalism, their team, selector, captain, and coaches. These are the things that make a team number one and dominate the world. If we were so good, then Pakistan cricket wouldn’t be here. It is because of your ego Pakistan cricket is suffering,” Kamran Akmal said.
Jason Gillespie Wants to Take Pak Cricket to the Top
Amid all these noises, Pakistan’s new men’s cricket team coach, Jason Gillespie, who was elected after Garry Kirsten’s resignation following the team’s terrible run at the 2024 T20I World Cup, faced the media to answer some questions. He was at the connection camp conducted by the PCB. He is now watching the Champions One-Day Cup to find out new talents for Pakistan cricket.
“I have been in Pakistan for 12 days, and it is good to see the talented players in the Champions One-Day Cup. There is no lack of talent in the country and the quality of the tournament has been high,” he said.
Gillespie promised to make the Pakistan cricket team a top contender among others and said that everything would be done to achieve that. He also pointed out the pride that the players possess in playing for their country.
“We are new to the setup, and it is our job to listen to everyone. It is important to implement ways which can improve us as a team. Pakistan players feel pride in playing for the country, and we will do everything to make the team a top outfit in all formats of the game.
“Players told us how they wanted to inspire the country, and it was pleasing to listen. The players care and are desperate to win matches. We are together, and we will do everything to help the cricketers,” he said.
What’s Next for Pakistan?
Pakistan will now play a 3-match Test series against England on their soil from October 7. After that, the team will travel to Australia for a 5-match T20I series, which will start on November 4.
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