In the entire history of Pakistan cricket has there ever been a backlash such as the one we’re still witnessing to 120 overs’ worth of cricket? Perhaps any of the ODI World Cup defeats against India could top it, but for all intents and purposes it appears as though Pakistan cricket has seen an unparalleled convulsion in the aftermath of the 3-0 defeat against Sri Lanka in the T20 series.
There’s no questioning that the result itself was shocking by any yardstick, something we highlighted in this space last week. What was also evident was that Misbah-ul-Haq would attract the knives with unprecedented intensity. But even with those realities, the overreaction has not only been unmerited, but can eventually turn out to be damaging in the long run as well.
For context, here are a couple of developments over the past two years alone that didn’t result in anywhere near the same heat that the newly appointment setup is facing.
In October 2017, Pakistan were whitewashed by a struggling Sri Lanka side in the two Test series in the UAE, which was the side’s first ever full series loss – let alone sweep – in the Emirates.
Similarly, Pakistan lost 11 ODIs on the bounce earlier this year, after being defeated 5-0 by Australia in the UAE, and then England 4-0, sandwiched on either side by a loss against South Africa and the West Indies – the latter the first match of the World Cup. That 11-match streak is the longest losing run in ODIs in the history of Pakistan cricket.
Indeed, there is a reason why the previous setup was replaced. But of course, the successors are off to the worst possible start.
Even so, it is precisely that – a start, with the result further aggravated by the fact that it came at home against a second string Sri Lankan side, in a format where Pakistan still are the number one side in the world.
But even in the T20 format, where the side have enjoyed unparalleled successes since the 2016 World T20, in the aftermath of which Sarfaraz Ahmed took over, the cracks had become visible even before the revamp at the helm.
Pakistan lost the three-match T20I series away to South Africa early this year, and lost the solitary T20I in England as well. And so, while more obvious work was to be done in Tests and ODIs, the new regime had a job to do in the shortest format as well.
Given the scale of the loss against Sri Lanka, and the reaction to it, heads are being called for. Fortunately for Misbah he was only in-charge for a couple of weeks, had it been a couple of months the many critics of his would’ve been asking for his departure – which a few actually already are.
Misbah would have to show a turnaround of some sort in the T20I series against Australia
With the three match T20I series against Australia to be the national side’s next assignment, it is evident that Misbah would have to show a turnaround of some sort. The change in personnel being demanded should mean Ahmed Shehzad and Umar Akmal being showed the permanent exit door, regardless of how they do in the ongoing National T20 tournament.
Failure in the Australia T20I series could see a bigger head being called for. And that could be Sarfaraz Ahmed’s.
There is no question that as far as the T20 format is concerned, Sarfaraz’s leadership has been a major factor in propelling Pakistan to the number one slot in the rankings. But his continued failures with the bat have gradually become a burden on the national side, which were ominously exposed against Sri Lanka.
Pakistan struggle in the middle overs with both bowl and bat. It’s the failure to take wickets in the former, which should also slash question marks on the place of Shadab Khan in the national side. And for the latter, it’s the sheer lack of power-hitting.
Pakistan’s top order is really strong in limited-overs cricket, and Sarfaraz never had the game for the lower-middle order even at his batting peak. Something would have to give sooner rather than later.
