Pakistan’s Cricket Predicament: Preparing for Disappointment
As Pakistan prepares for another major cricket tournament, the familiar anxieties about underperformance and unexpected chaos are starting to grip fans. While many predictions focus on the team’s potential victory, a realistic outlook suggests a different scenario. This article outlines the key factors that could contribute to another disappointing campaign.
Aqib Javed is not Plan A
Pakistan’s cricket team has a long history of last-minute changes and a revolving door of coaches. As Mickey Arthur’s departure in 2019, the team has had nine different head coaches across various formats, showcasing a lack of long-term planning and stability. This pattern continued recently with Gary Kirsten’s surprise resignation just months before the Champions Trophy, replacing him with Aqib Javed.
Javed’s past success as a player and coach is overshadowed by his struggles with the Lahore Qalandars, a team he repeatedly led to the bottom of the standings in the Pakistan Super League. This raises concerns about his ability to lead the national team to success on the international stage.
Babar Azam is not Babar Azam-ing anymore
for many Pakistani cricket fans, Babar Azam has been a symbol of consistency and hope. However, his recent form has been inconsistent, leaving fans questioning his ability to deliver in crucial moments. The team’s dependence on his performance, coupled with his recent struggles, adds another layer of uncertainty to Pakistan’s prospects.
Babar azam’s Struggling Form Raises Questions About His Position in Pakistan’s ODI Squad
Pakistan’s cricketing superstar, Babar Azam, is facing a significant slump in form. As the Asia Cup 2023,his ODI average has plummeted from a remarkable 59.17 to a concerning 42.27. This decline extends to his recent performances in the tri-series against New Zealand and South africa, where he failed to make a significant impact, culminating in an average of 20.66 for 2025.
Compounding his struggles, the team management has made a controversial decision to move him up to the opening slot, a departure from his preferred position at number three where he has historically averaged 60. As an opener in five ODI matches, his average drops to a meager 17.6.
Capt. Mohammad Rizwan defended the move,citing the need to fill the void created by Saim Ayub’s injury. However, the decision seems to contradict Babar’s own performing stats and raises questions about its rationale.
Adding another layer to the complexity, Babar’s demotion comes at the expense of Saud Shakeel, a highly talented batsman who shines in Test cricket but has yet to find consistent success in ODIs. Shakeel has a limited ODI record with three fifties across 17 matches, and his average of 26.15 further emphasizes the uncertainties surrounding his transition to the number three role.
The early indicators suggest that this change in batting order might not yield the desired results. The weight of expectation and the need to regain his past form now lie squarely on Babar’s shoulders.
just 8 and 15.
And the man brought in to fill the gap left by Shakil’s promotion is Tayyab Tahir — another unknown quantity, and not just in the role but at international level, thanks to the six ODIs he’s ever played.
To sum it up, there was a void up top so Babar gets pulled from his favorite spot to play an unfamiliar role; then Shakil gets pulled from his position in the middle order to play an unfamiliar role at one-down; and then to fill the Shakil-sized hole in the middle order, Tahir is inducted, who is unfamiliar with this level altogether.
Genius!
Haris Rauf is not fit or fit enough
When Haris Rauf went down injured on Feb 8 against New Zealand, he was arguably the pick of the Pakistan bowlers. In his 6.2 overs that he was able to bowl before picking up a side strain, he had conceded just 19 runs and picked up the wicket of Tom Latham. That was the game in which Shaheen Afridi ended up conceding 88 runs and naseem Shah 70 in their 10 overs each.
Until Rauf was bowling in the 37th over, Glenn Phillips had 18 off 25 balls. Once he was off the field, only then was Phillips able to turn his Superman mode as he finished with 106 runs off 74 balls.
Think what you may of Rauf, but he is an remarkable ODI pacer and an important part of Pakistan’s three-headed spin battery. While he is yet to be taken off the Champions Trophy roster, time is running out fast.
That, coupled with Saim Ayub’s absence, means Pakistan once again head into a major ICC tournament short of several first-choice players.
Conditions do not play to Pakistan’s strengths
Yet, the pitches seen in the recent tri-series were completely batting friendly. Of the eight innings of four matches in the tournament, five saw scores in excess of 300.
Our neighbours often prepare surfaces that suit them on home turf, but that’s a trick rarely practiced by the PCB in white-ball cricket. It’s not often that Pakistan gets to host an ICC event. Now that it has, why not use it to our advantage — just as others do?
Do we win or do we not care?
It’s that age-old question.
History tells us that when Pakistan’s great on paper, they’re poor on pitch. And when they’re poor on paper … well, that doesn’t happen often. On paper, they’re always pretty decent. Results wise,they exceed expectations when there are none. Send them onto the field, don’t look, don’t care, don’t hype ‘em up — that’s when you get the best return on your investment.
That said, this Champions Trophy is happening in Pakistan where there will be home fans, lots of media attention and eyeballs on our boys who have a long history of melting under the limelight.
That does not bode well at all.
However, the champions Trophy is a small-ish affair in terms of format and matches, which means that Rizwan and Co. will have to play really badly to not make it out of the four-team group. Beat Bangladesh, nick one of the two matches against India and New Zealand, and you’re in business for the final four.
From that point on, you never know what might happen. The team is, after all, capable of springing surprises, two clear examples of which are the Champions Trophy of 2017 and the remarkable chase of 350 odd against South Africa in Karachi, earlier this month.
Header Image: Pakistan’s cricketers gather on stage during the inauguration ceremony of renovated National Stadium in Karachi on February 11, 2025. (Photo by Asif Hassan/ AFP)
Here’s a breakdown of the key points:
Pakistan are the defending champions of the Champions Trophy, a title they won in 2017 with a memorable victory over India. But eight years on, the road to defending their title is fraught with challenges.
Recent performances, particularly the recent tri-series against New Zealand and South Africa, have raised serious concerns about Pakistan’s ability to challenge for the trophy.
Babar Azam in a Slump
Babar Azam, the cornerstone of Pakistan’s batting order, is going through a concerning slump in form. as the Asia Cup 2023, his ODI average has plummeted from a remarkable 59.17 to a concerning 42.27. this decline extends to his recent performances in the tri-series against New Zealand and South Africa, where he failed to make a notable impact, culminating in an average of 20.66 for 2025.
Compounding his struggles, the team management has made a controversial decision to move him up to the opening slot, a departure from his preferred position at number three where he has historically averaged 60. As an opener in five ODI matches, his average drops to a meager 17.6.
capt. Mohammad Rizwan defended the move, citing the need to fill the void created by Saim Ayub’s injury.However, the decision seems to contradict Babar’s own performing stats and raises questions about its rationale.
Saud Shakeel: The Uncertain Number Three
Adding another layer to the complexity, Babar’s demotion comes at the expense of Saud Shakeel, a highly talented batsman who shines in Test cricket but has yet to find consistent success in ODIs. Shakeel has a limited ODI record with three fifties across 17 matches, and his average of 26.15 further emphasizes the uncertainties surrounding his transition to the number three role.
The early indicators suggest that this change in batting order might not yield the desired results. The weight of expectation and the need to regain his past form now lie squarely on Babar’s shoulders.
Unknown Replacements in the Middle Order
And the man brought in to fill the gap left by Shakil’s promotion is Tayyab Tahir — another unknown quantity,and not just in the role but at international level,thanks to the six ODIs he’s ever played.
To sum it up, there was a void up top so Babar gets pulled from his favorite spot to play an unfamiliar role; then Shakil gets pulled from his position in the middle order to play an unfamiliar role at one-down; and then to fill the shakil-sized hole in the middle order, Tahir is inducted, who is unfamiliar with this level altogether.
haris Rauf is not fit or fit enough
When Haris rauf went down injured on Feb 8 against New Zealand, he was arguably the pick of the Pakistan bowlers. In his 6.2 overs that he was able to bowl before picking up a side strain, he had conceded just 19 runs and picked up the wicket of Tom Latham. that was the game in which Shaheen Afridi ended up conceding 88 runs and Naseem shah 70 in their 10 overs each.
Until Rauf was bowling in the 37th over, Glenn Phillips had 18 off 25 balls. Once he was off the field, onyl then was Phillips able to turn his Superman mode as he finished with 106 runs off 74 balls.
Think what you may of Rauf, but he is an remarkable ODI pacer and an important part of Pakistan’s three-headed spin battery. While he is yet to be taken off the Champions Trophy roster, time is running out fast.
That, coupled with Saim Ayub’s absence, means Pakistan once again head into a major ICC tournament short of several first-choice players.
conditions do not play to Pakistan’s strengths
Yet, the pitches seen in the recent tri-series were wholly batting friendly. Of the eight innings of four matches in the tournament, five saw scores in excess of 300.
Our neighbours often prepare surfaces that suit them on home turf, but that’s a trick rarely practiced by the PCB in white-ball cricket. It’s not frequently enough that Pakistan gets to host an ICC event.Now that it has, why not use it to our advantage — just as others do?
Do we win or do we not care?
It’s that age-old question.
History tells us that when pakistan’s great on paper, they’re poor on pitch. And when they’re poor on paper … well, that doesn’t happen often. On paper, they’re always pretty decent.Results wise,they exceed expectations when there are none. Send them onto the field, don’t look, don’t care, don’t hype ‘em up — that’s when you get the best return on your investment.
That said, this Champions Trophy is happening in Pakistan where there will be home fans, lots of media attention and eyeballs on our boys who have a long history of melting under the limelight.
That does not bode well at all.
Though, the champions trophy is a small-ish affair in terms of format and matches, which means that Rizwan and Co.will have to play really badly to not make it out of the four-team group. Beat Bangladesh, nick one of the two matches against India and new Zealand, and you’re in business for the final four.
From that point on, you never know what might happen. The team is, after all, capable of springing surprises, two clear examples of which are the Champions Trophy of 2017 and the remarkable chase of 350 odd against South Africa in Karachi, earlier this month.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Why is Babar Azam struggling?
- babar Azam is experiencing a significant dip in form, with his ODI average dropping considerably in recent months.This slump is particularly concerning as he is considered the cornerstone of Pakistan’s batting line-up.
- What changes have been made to the batting order?
- The team management has controversially moved Babar Azam to the opening slot, despite his historical success at number three. This decision has also led to Saud Shakeel being moved to number three, a position where he lacks experience.
- What is the impact of Haris Rauf’s injury?
- Haris Rauf’s injury is a major blow to Pakistan’s bowling attack. He had been performing exceptionally well before sustaining a side strain, and his absence leaves a significant void in the pace department.
- How do the pitch conditions
