The Pakistani cricket team is currently in a state of turmoil. This is not a new problem; for the past two decades, the team has been struggling to improve. The situation mirrors the broader national narrative since Pakistan’s independence, often described as the country going through a ‘delicate phase’(Pakistan is waqat Nazuk Surat’haal sy guzar raha hai). Similarly, Pakistani cricket seems perpetually on the brink of crisis every day.

Let’s examine the five players who have been associated with the Pakistani team for a long time but have consistently failed to deliver meaningful results, despite numerous opportunities. The investment in these five players has turned out to be a considerable loss for Pakistan.

Number One: Saim Ayub (Stylish Opening Batter): This lad has been the biggest disappointment of 2024. Despite playing in 21 T20I innings, he has not managed to score even one fifty. His performances in the T20 World Cup 2024 were also deeply disappointing. Despite high ratings from many cricket experts, Saim has failed to make his mark in the international arena.

Number Two: Azam Khan (Wicket Keeper Batter): Azam Khan, with a dismal batting average of 8.80 in 13 innings coupled with subpar wicketkeeping, has been unable to rid himself of the stigma of nepotism. Fans are understandably frustrated with Azam Khan, as he had ample opportunity to secure his position in Pakistan’s faltering middle order but has utterly failed to do so.

Number Three: Usman Khan (Top Order Player): Usman Khan who made waves in the PSL, has proven to be ineffective at the international level, resembling a castle made of sand when faced with high-quality bowling. His inclusion in the team was handled in an unconventional manner after PSL 9, which is a story in itself. His entry into the Pakistani cricket team has been detrimental not only for the country but for Usman himself. He had been striving for the past four years to secure a spot in the UAE national team and was close to achieving this goal. However, his decision has now permanently closed these doors as UAE cricket has imposed a lifelong ban on him.

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Number Four: Iftikhar Ahmed (Middle Order Batter): Often dubbed our ‘finisher’, Iftikhar has represented Pakistan in 66 T20Is but has only been named man of the match once, and that too for a bowling performance, which is not his primary skill. Looking at Iftikhar’s T20I career, aside from one or two innings, there is little to commend. He remains on the team in the hope that he will eventually justify his selection. However, it seems that achieving consistency at the international level is beyond his capabilities.

Number Five: Shadab Khan (Leg Spinner/All Rounder): With a bowling average of 74 and a batting average of 14 in 2024, Shadab no longer fits the mold of an all-rounder. Recently, if there’s been a major disappointment, it’s been Shadab Khan. While spinners in other teams play critical roles in their victories by taking key wickets at crucial stages, the opposite is true for Pakistan. As soon as Shadab is brought into bowl, Pakistan tends to lose control of the game. The main reason is Shadab’s inability to take wickets in the middle phase of the inning. After the 2022 World Cup, Shadab went wicketless in 10 out of 20 innings, and in four innings, he wasn’t even assigned to bowl, limiting his role to that of a mere batter. Imagine the impact on the team when your main spinner is in such poor form—it naturally leads to underperformance.

The current state of Pakistani cricket, reflected through these major flops, is a vivid illustration of a team struggling to find its footing on the global stage. The persistent issues of form, inconsistency, and underperformance require immediate attention and strategic planning from the management. To reinvigorate the team and restore its competitive edge, there must be a focus on nurturing young talent, enforcing rigorous training regimes, and fostering a culture of accountability and resilience. For Pakistan cricket to emerge from this challenging phase, it is imperative to make bold decisions that prioritize long-term success over short-term gains.