AFTER experiencing the historic high of the One-day International series triumph against Australia, Pakistan came crashing back to earth in the Twenty20s. Outclassed by a second-string Australian side, it ended in a 3-0 whitewash for Mohammad Rizwan’s men. While leading Pakistan to their first ODI series victory in Australia in 22 years, Rizwan was unable to provide the same sort of inspiration in his first series as captain in the shortest format, sitting out the last game altogether after failing to accelerate with the bat in the second. In fact, all the players — with the exception of speedsters Haris Rauf and Abbas Afridi — were found wanting. After being smashed in a rain-hit opener, Pakistan had hope in the second when Haris and Abbas stifled the hosts in Sydney only to stumble in the chase. Star batter Babar Azam finally found form in the dead rubber third game but the rest floundered and Australia cruised to victory. Pakistan lacked ideas and players who could make a difference. It is evident Pakistan’s T20 strategy needs a rethink: the side has now lost seven of their last nine matches in the format, including the dismal show at last year’s T20 World Cup.

Rizwan pointed out later that Pakistan went into the series without the dashing opener Fakhar Zaman, and with new players. However, the team still had its fair share of big guns: Rizwan himself, Babar, Haris, Shaheen Shah Afridi and Naseem Shah. Pacers Shaheen and Naseem struggled; batters Babar and Rizwan failed to fire. Fielding was again problematic, with Rizwan stating that had his side not dropped four catches in the second game, the outcome would have been different. He said that new players would get a chance in the upcoming T20 series against Zimbabwe. In their efforts to broaden the pool of players, it is hoped Pakistan can unearth some T20 specialists who can restore the team’s standing in the format.

Published in Dawn, November 20th, 2024