Pakistan cricket team after losing first four matches against England in five-match One Day Internationals series chased successfully a stiff target of 303 in the last game of the series at Cardiff.
It was being considered that England would be able to whitewash Pakistan in the series as visiting team hardly showed any resistance in first four matches of the series. But Pakistan played brilliant cricket and chased the target of above 300 with ease after ages.
Overall, performance of team remained below satisfactory level and team management have a lot to ponder before the next series against West Indies in UAE next month. Most of the countries are building their teams for the next world cup, coaches and team management of Pakistan should also keep that target in mind and look for young talent. It is a harsh fact that Pakistan team is lingering at the bottom of the ODI rankings at number nine, even Bangladesh and West Indies are above. According to ICC in next World Cup, which would be held in England in 2019, only eight top teams in world rankings would be able to enjoy direct entry into the cup; remaining teams would go through the qualifying round.
Considering the recent performances, it seems Pakistan would not be able to avoid embarrassment of playing qualifying round for the next World Cup. Cut-off date for direct selection in the World Cup is Sep, 2017, the team has one year to sort their issues in the limited overs cricket and to go up the ladder in ODI rankings.
Next target of team management should be to lift game in ODIs.