Pakistan Cricket Team’s Struggle with Constant Line-up Changes: An In-depth Review of T20 Series Against New Zealand
Pakistan Struggle At Home Series Against NZ, C Team
The Pakistan cricket team’s constant changes to its playing 11, on the other hand, have sparked numerous discussions among fans and analysts. It also isn’t simple as the team management has changed the playing XI in nearly every match of the T20 series against New Zealand. And every single alteration has perplexed people’s minds. As the series is at 2-1 in New Zealand’s favor, the last and 5th T20 match of the series at Gaddafi Stadium Lahore isn’t just a match but a must-win for Pakistan to avoid the series loss at home. In today’s match, Pakistan brings back Naseem Shah to the squad at the expense of Zaman Khan. ICC trophy will be displayed here at Gaddafi Stadium during the 5th t20 against NZ.
It is yet another change to the bowling department in this series. Pakistan might go for a spin by bringing Abrar Ahmed in place of Usama Mir who played the last game with no major effect. One thing that is sure is, Shaheen Shah Afridi will play to add pace in the bowling department. The series’ journey has been a mix for Pakistan. They started it fantastically by restricting New Zealand to 90 runs, and Pakistan had no difficulty getting it by losing just two wickets. But the story was not the same in the coming matches when the team received several changes and variations. Changes didn’t allow the players to make their place as it prevented performance continuity. For example, Usama Mir played only one game. A one-game outing isn’t enough for youngsters or anyone in T20 cricket, which is a fast-moving game.
Finding form at the right time would mean that two of Pakistan’s premier fast bowlers Shaheen Afridi and Naseem Shah would lead the bowling attack. The two would be the key for Pakistan considering its failure to defend totals in the recent past. When in full tilt, Shaheen has the potential to swing the ball, while Naseem is unplayable when his pace is up. The batting, however, has been an issue. Fakhar Zaman, Usman Qadir, and the opening duo have not fired regularly, adding undue pressure on the middle order. Babar Azam is arguably the world’s best at the moment but needs scoring support to put up match-winning totals or chase down big ones.
The injuries and absences have also not helped the cause, especially due to the absence of Mohammad Rizwan, Haris Rauf, and Azam Khan for critical games. It also means that Pakistan has had to test their bench strength, which has been found wanting so far. While that has been down to the rotation policy, which is logical to preserve player fitness, has not brought the desired results, many believe. Fans, too, consider that some deserving players should have been given the nod and some underperforming ones benched. As the final match nears, this needs to be rectified, and the Pakistani think-tank should pick the best players and give them enough chances. Iftikhar Ahmed’s comeback could arguably give the side the balance it needs.
The match today is not just about winning and losing but finding players who can deliver consistent performances under difficult conditions. The team management decisions in this series are going to play a critical role in how they manage the team from now on, especially keeping this year’s T20 World Cup in mind. In the end, while giving opportunities to as many players as possible is essential to increase the team’s strength, not following any particular combination was Pakistan’s fall in this series. In the future, it is essential that they form a stable XI and trust these players, giving them enough chances to repay that trust. Only in that way, they can challenge other teams and win back the faith of their passionate cricket audience.
