Gary Kirsten Issues Warning to Pakistan Team Amid T20 World Cup Struggles

Gary Kirsten has cautioned his players about the need to adapt and improve, or risk being left behind in the rapidly evolving landscape of modern cricket. This comes in the wake of Pakistan's back-to-back losses at the T20 World Cup 2024.

Pakistan's recent narrow loss to India in New York on Sunday saw them fail to chase a modest target of 120 runs. Combined with an unexpected defeat in a Super Over against the USA in their opening game in Dallas, their prospects of advancing to the Super Eight stage now depend on other outcomes. Kirsten, who began his tenure as Pakistan's white-ball coach just a week before the tournament commenced, described the start of their campaign as tumultuous. When asked whether the team had crumbled under pressure, Kirsten concurred.

He noted, "The players are aware that not performing at their peak brings pressure. These are seasoned international cricketers who have participated in T20 cricket globally for many years. It's up to them to decide how they will evolve their game."

Although Kirsten did not single out individuals, it is clear that Pakistan's core T20 squad has remained largely unchanged over the past three World Cup tournaments. Seven members of the XI who played against India in New York were also part of the team that lost to Australia in the semi-final in November 2021. Additionally, six players from the recent game were in the squad that fell to England in the final at the MCG a year later.

Attention is particularly focused on captain Babar Azam and his opening partner Mohammad Rizwan. Both players have top-scored in the two matches so far, but their performances have drawn criticism for their slow scoring rates and lack of aggression. Despite Pakistan experimenting with different opening combinations before the tournament, Kirsten acknowledged concerns about how they structure their innings.

Fakhar Zaman, Shadab Khan, Shaheen Afridi, and Haris Rauf, who have also been part of the last two campaigns, have seen mixed performances. While the bowling unit has generally performed well and received praise from Kirsten, Shadab Khan's decline in leg-spin effectiveness has been a setback for the team.

Kirsten highlighted the necessity for continuous growth and adaptation in international cricket, pointing out that he is still assessing the team's dynamics. He observed, "I've only been with the team for a short period. I'm examining the environment and identifying issues. These players have been impressive on television for many years, and now I'm getting to know them personally. They are committed and passionate about representing their country, but there's a lot of disappointment in the dressing room."

Kirsten stressed the importance of ongoing development, stating, "For any international player, it's crucial to keep evolving and understanding the demands of international competition. The game changes almost yearly. If you aren't improving, you will be exposed at some point."

Former captain Wasim Akram, commenting on the match, urged for a significant overhaul of the team. Although he did not specify names, Akram emphasised that the nature of the defeat necessitated decisive action. He stated, "Enough is enough. We need changes. Introduce a new team, with six to seven new players, and support them through losses to help them grow as a unit. It's time for the PCB chairman to take a bold step. We keep hearing about internal team conflicts. This was the best pitch in New York so far; chasing 120 shouldn't have been this hard."

Shahid Afridi, another ex-captain, also expressed his dissatisfaction with Pakistan's performance, noting in his ICC column, "Pakistan's batting was ineffective and lacked power hitting. This game against India wasn't about aggressive play; it required strategy and smart cricket to secure the win, which Pakistan failed to demonstrate."

Afridi suggested that Kirsten and Azam need to consider changes, proposing, "I believe Salman Ali Agha should replace Usman Khan, and Abrar Ahmed should come in for Shadab Khan. Additionally, Fakhar Zaman should open alongside Mohammad Rizwan, with Babar Azam moving to number three."

Despite the setbacks, Afridi reminded fans that hope remains as Pakistan is still in contention for the tournament.