After Pakistan suffered a humiliating 202-run defeat against West Indies in the third and final ODI, criticism has come in from all corners for their captain Mohammad Rizwan. In the series decider at the Brian Lara Stadium on Tuesday, Pakistan managed to score only 92 runs in 29.2 overs in reply to the 295-run target given by West Indies. Fast bowler Jayden Seales picked up 6 wickets for 18 runs in 7.2 overs as he helped the Men in Maroon to win a bilateral ODI series against the Pakistan team after 34 years.
In what was a do-or-die match for both teams with the series levelled at 1-1, Rizwan got out for a golden duck, whereas former captain and senior player Babar Azam scored 9 runs from 23 balls. Rizwan’s flop show with the bat in the series decider invited sharp criticism from out of favour batter Ahmed Shehzad.
Ahmed Shehzad brutally criticises Mohammad Rizwan
In a video that was posted on social media and is going viral, Ahmed Shehzad brutally roasted Mohammad Rizwan. He said:
“Neither is he batting nor is he keeping. Neither can I see his fitness. Nor does he know how to say anything like this. Sometimes he takes the momentum, gives it, takes it, gives it, this keeps happening. Sometimes he wins or he learns, this keeps happening. Today he learnt again. So, this is how your cricket is going. We have never seen Pakistan’s cricket like this. Every day he gives a new surprise.”
Mohammad Rizwan scored a total of 69 runs in three matches for Men in Green Pakistan. In the series opener at the same venue played on August 8, Rizwan made 53 runs from 69 balls as a Number 4 batter in the 281-run chase which helped Pakistan get over the line and win the contest by 5 wickets.
Pakistan Team In Crisis Or Not?
Pakistan have had a tough year in white-ball cricket especially in the ODIS. After going through a disastrous ICC Champions Trophy where they couldn’t win a game, they went to New Zealand and lost 0-3 there as well. They managed to win the first ODI against West Indies but then suffered two crushing losses to lose the series. Even in T20IS, they are doing better but not great. They have won and lost a series against Bangladesh while they beat West Indies 2-1 in Florida.
The big talking point is if the Pakistan team is in crisis or is it just a dip in form. To consistently lose is not great and that has happened to Pakistan lately. Rizwan as captain is having it tough at the moment while Salman Ali Agha is doing well in the shortest format. The form of seniors are not helping as Babar and Rizwan are out of form while Saim Ayub hasn’t hit the straps that was expected from him. If the seniors stand up, others will definitely follow suit.
It is true that Pakistan like most teams do not play that many ODIs and it is hard to gauge form but they need to better than just one win in 9 matches. With the Asia Cup coming up next albeit in T20 format, it will be interesting to see the T20 side going forward first in the Tri-series involving Pakistan, Afghanistan, and UAE and then Asia Cup. Will Babar and Rizwan be called up to the T20 squad for Asia Cup? Because if that happens there there is a recipe for disaster as Pakistan has to go with young guns in the T20 format. Shaheen might play T20Is but not Babar or Rizwan at this stage.
If Pakistan can go with fresh faces for Asia Cup under Salman Ali Agha, then it will definitely augur well for the Men in Green in Asia Cup. Let’s see how things pan out and how Pakistan improves their performance in September when the Asia Cup comes calling for all true cricket lovers fans.
Also Read: WI vs PAK: 3 Reasons For Pakistan’s Humiliating Defeat In 3rd ODI