Test cricketer Ahmed Shehzad has voiced sharp criticism over Pakistan’s batting intent following their narrow loss in the first T20I against South Africa in Durban. Pakistan failed to chase a target of 184 runs, falling short by 11 runs as they managed 172-8 in their 20 overs. The defeat highlighted recurring issues in Pakistan’s batting strategy, raising concerns about their ability to perform under pressure.
Missed Opportunities in the Chase
The chase began poorly for Pakistan as Babar Azam was dismissed for a duck. However, Saim Ayub provided an initial spark with a brisk 31 off just 15 balls, hitting seven boundaries. Despite his fiery start, the rest of the batting order failed to build on the momentum.
Captain Mohammad Rizwan anchored the innings with a composed 74 runs off 62 balls, including five boundaries and three sixes. Rizwan remained resilient until the last over but received minimal support from the other end. Tayyab Tahir (18) was the only other batter to reach double figures, exposing the lack of depth in Pakistan’s batting lineup.
Ahmed Shehzad’s Critique
Ahmed Shehzad, in a post on his official X (formerly Twitter) account, expressed disappointment over Pakistan’s failure to learn from past mistakes. He emphasized the critical moments when Pakistan allowed South Africa to post 184 after being in a vulnerable position earlier in the game.
“Close but not good enough. Pakistan cricket team not learning from their past mistakes,” Shehzad remarked. He highlighted poor execution in the field and an ineffective approach in the chase as key reasons for the defeat.
Dot Balls and Lack of Intent
Shehzad specifically called out the batters for their inability to rotate the strike, pointing to an excessive number of dot balls as a major factor in Pakistan’s loss. “Too many dot balls & lack of intent in the chase cost us what could have been a victory,” he stated. He further urged senior players to step up and take responsibility, rather than relying on younger players to carry the team.
Read: Shaheen Afridi Achieves 100 T20I Wickets in Style
Positives Amid the Loss
Despite the defeat, Shehzad acknowledged some bright spots for Pakistan. Saim Ayub’s aggressive knock stood out as a promising performance. Meanwhile, bowlers Shaheen Afridi and Abrar Ahmed impressed, claiming three wickets each and providing crucial breakthroughs during South Africa’s innings.
Recurring Challenges for Pakistan
The loss underscored persistent weaknesses in Pakistan’s T20 approach, including an inability to adapt to pressure situations and capitalize on crucial moments. While individual performances showed promise, the lack of collective effort continues to hinder the team’s ability to close out games.
Ahmed Shehzad’s critique serves as a wake-up call for Pakistan to address these shortcomings ahead of upcoming matches. With senior players urged to take the lead, the team must focus on improving intent, strike rotation, and consistency to turn close losses into victories.
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