The last two T20’s of the on going series between Pakistan and New Zealand were nothing short of a nightmare for the Pakistan team. The heavy defeats exposed Pakistan’s shortcoming just before the T20 World Cup. The two disastrous defeats came on the back of the opening match win that had given hope to cricket fans that Pakistan could emerge as one of the favorites for the T20 World Cup. However, the short lives hopes were quashed by New Zealand in devastating fashion. Pakistan’s failure was not just in one department, the team comprehensively failed in all three departments, batting, bowling and fielding, if that was not all the captaincy was also questionable. T20 is the format where the fittest cricketers are preferred, however, when it comes to Pakistan it seems that the most unfit players were picked for the format. Sohaib Maqsood who failed miserably with the bat in the first T20’s was dropped from the final T20. But his batting shortcomings could be overlooked if it wasn’t for his shambolic performance in the field. It is mind boggling that how someone could make his way into the Pakistan team when he is so lethargic in the field. The first ODI didn’t change Pakistan’s fortunes either. Despite an excellent start by the bowlers which saw New Zealand reduced to 99/6, the Kiwis put up a sizeable target of 280. Pakistan’s opener failed to make any impression with Ahmed Shehzad and Azhar Ali both dismissed early on, a decent third wicket stand gave some hope but Trent Boult destroyed Pakistan’s lower middle order to give New Zealand a 70-run victory.
Questionable selection and favoritism is a key factor in the team’s poor performance.
