London: Every World Cup failure for Pakistan sparks a wave of reviews and sackings and the promise of a fresh approach — until the team wins again and all is forgotten.
The script is expected to be similar after Sarfaraz Ahmed’s team failed to make the semi-finals in England and Wales despite a late charge. Pakistan won four straight matches to finish level on 11 points with New Zealand, but they bowed out of the tournament due to an inferior net run-rate. There have once again been calls for an overhaul of the system, changes in the team set-up and style of play, but 1992 World Cup winner Wasim Akram said there was no need to panic. England’s humiliating first-round exit in 2015 sparked a radical rethink and the host nation started this World Cup as the number one side in the world. Another World Cup winner, Ramiz Raja, believes Pakistan have the ability to produce “magical” cricket and says their exit is a loss to the tournament. But he said every defeat was an opportunity to assess things and that ruthless decisions were required. On the other hand, Pakistan batsman Shoaib Malik confirmed his retirement from one-day cricket without making a farewell appearance in his side’s victory over Bangladesh.Malik had admitted last year that he intended to quit one-day cricket after the World Cup and he followed through with that plan after Pakistan’s 94-run win at Lord’s. The 37-year-old will continue to play the Twenty20 format, but he admitted it was an emotional moment to call time on his ODI career. “I am retiring from one-day cricket,” said Malik, who was dropped after a disappointing World Cup featuring two ducks in three maches. “I’m sad as I’m leaving the format I loved the most but this will allow me to concentrate on the Twenty20 World Cup next year,” added Malik. (AFP)
