Pakistan's loss to the USA in the T20 World Cup was not just a defeat but a double blow, leaving cricket fans bewildered and analysts scrutinising the team's performance. Mohammad Hafeez, a former Pakistan all-rounder, delved into the reasons behind this humiliating loss, shedding light on the debatable calls, lack of bench strength, and perhaps even greed that plagued Babar Azam's side in Dallas on June 6.
On June 7, cricket fans woke up to one of the biggest upsets in the sport's history as the USA team, brimming with aspiring talents, outplayed the former champions. Babar Azam's slow innings set the tone for Pakistan's lacklustre performance, with the team appearing disoriented throughout the match. Despite some bright moments with the ball, Pakistan's inability to seize opportunities and capitalise on crucial moments led to their downfall.
In the crucial Super Over, Mohammad Amir's costly over, conceding 18 runs, compounded Pakistan's woes. Saurabh Netravalkar's stellar performance for the USA, including a sublime over, secured their victory and propelled them to a 2-0 record in the T20 World Cup 2024.
Mohammad Hafeez dissected Pakistan's defeat, attributing it to a combination of factors. Whether it was questionable decisions, a lack of depth in the squad, or perhaps an overemphasis on individual performance over team success, Pakistan's loss exposed underlying issues within the team.
As cricket enthusiasts analyse Pakistan's shocking defeat, Hafeez's insights provide valuable perspective on the team's shortcomings and the areas they need to address moving forward in the tournament.