'Favouritism has ruined the team': Pakistanis call for accountability as cricket team exits T20 World Cup
'Favouritism has ruined the team': Pakistanis call for accountability as cricket team exits T20 World Cup
NEW DELHI: The Pakistan cricket team has faced a significant setback in the T20 World Cup, as they were unable to advance to the second round of the tournament, a first in their history. This disappointing result has left the Pakistani fans back home deeply unsatisfied and frustrated with the team's performance.
The public is now calling for severe consequences to be imposed on the entire team and the selectors responsible for the squad's composition. Additionally, there is a growing demand for a comprehensive restructuring of the cricket administration under the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to address the underlying issues that led to this embarrassing outcome.
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Pakistan's cricket team faced a devastating blow after suffering defeats against the United States and India, leaving them in a precarious position in the tournament. Their chances of progressing to the next round hinged on a series of favorable results, including a loss for the USA against Ireland. However, the weather intervened, causing the abandonment of the crucial match between the USA and Ireland, which ultimately shattered Pakistan's aspirations. The team was left with no choice but to make the long ride home with hanging heads.
The early exit from the T20 World Cup has had a profound impact on the team's supporters, leaving them disheartened and filled with frustration.
"All of these players should be removed. The players, the team selectors, coaches.. all of them should be thrown out of the team and a new system should be brought in as their replacement", a resident of Islamabad, who expressed his anger on the team's performance in the World Cup, quoted as saying by IANS.
"The ongoing favouritism among some players, the captain, and his lobby has ruined the team altogether. They all are paid such hefty amounts of money by the PCB every month. These players blackmail the board and the selectors to keep their favoured players in the team and deliberately ignore and reject the newcomers, who were kept on the benches despite their great performances in the Pakistan Super League (PSL)," he added.
Former players and commentators have expressed their disappointment and frustration towards the cricketers and the board for their failure to address the issue of lobbying within the team.
"All of these players should be thrown back into the domestic circuit and told to play there for at least two years before even thinking about getting into the national team. Enough is enough, this 'group of four' in the team has ruined the careers of deserving players who work so hard in the domestic circuit and perform consistently, only to be selected for the national team and be confined to the dressing rooms. This has to stop", said former opening batsman Ahmed Shahzad.
The Pakistan cricket team's premature departure from the T20 World Cup has left fans deeply disheartened. Many are expressing their dissatisfaction with the players' subpar performances, questioning captain Babar Azam's leadership skills and tactical decisions, and criticizing the selectors for overlooking young talent within the squad who never got a chance to play before the team's elimination.
In response to the disappointing outcome, the PCB is preparing to conduct a thorough review and implement significant changes. The board aims to address the team's shortcomings and make crucial decisions in the near future.
"Major surgery is required in the team," stated PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi, suggesting that the central contracts of players, including captain Babar Azam and other senior members, may be terminated as part of the overhaul process.
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