Pakistan’s cricket team suffered an early exit from the ICC Champions Trophy, failing to win any matches. Former captain Sana Mir criticized the team’s selection choices, stating that the poorly chosen squad could not compete effectively, even with renowned players like MS Dhoni at the helm. She highlighted the need for player selection that considers past performances and conditions.
Pakistan’s national cricket team faced elimination from the ICC Champions Trophy, marking their third consecutive early exit from an ICC tournament. The team’s performance was disappointing, failing to secure a single victory in the prestigious competition held in their home country. They encountered a significant defeat against New Zealand in their opening match, followed by a loss to India, and their final group game ended in a rainout against Bangladesh.
Former Pakistan captain Sana Mir expressed her concerns regarding the team’s poor selection choices during the tournament. In a conversation on Tapmad, she mentioned receiving a text during the India-Pakistan match, reflecting on the moment’s stakes. She remarked, “A friend texted me when India was 100/2 saying it is over. I replied by saying that it was over on the day when we announced our 15-man squad,” indicating her belief that the team’s composition was flawed from the outset.
Mir emphasized that regardless of who coached the team—whether it be MS Dhoni or Younis Khan—success would have been elusive given the selected players. She criticized the decision to bring two part-time spinners, stating that Abrar is still new to ODI cricket. She noted their lack of effectiveness, saying, “These two part-time spinners have taken only two wickets while averaging 165 in the last 5 months.”
Furthermore, she pointed out that Pakistan failed to replicate successful strategies used in previous tours of Australia and South Africa. She questioned the reasoning behind not selecting players suited for the conditions faced during the tournament. Mir stated, “You were getting wickets in the middle overs during the Australia and South Africa series. How have you not selected players for these conditions?” This reflects her critique of the team’s inability to adapt based on prior successes.
In summary, Pakistan’s Champions Trophy campaign was marred by poor team selection and strategy, as highlighted by former captain Sana Mir. Despite having experienced players, the squad failed to perform at crucial moments, leading to their early elimination. Moving forward, addressing these selection issues and learning from past performances will be vital for future tournaments.
Original Source: www.sportingnews.com
