Pakistan managed to win one out of three games in the tri-series against New Zealand and South Africa.
The Men in Green managed to win one out of three matches in the triangular series, also featuring South Africa. While Pakistan defeated the Proteas by six wickets, they went down against the Kiwis twice by 78 runs and five wickets respectively.
This outcome only suggests that the Mohammad Rizwan-led side has a lot to sort before the Champions Trophy at home. Pakistan will begin their campaign in the tournament opener against New Zealand on February 19.
Speaking on his YouTube channel, veteran batter Ahmad Shahzad bashed the team for its incompetence.
"Pakistan's bubble has burst ahead of the Champions Trophy," said Shahzad, before criticizing Rizwan's decision to bat first and drop a specialist bowler for an all-rounder in order to bat deep.
"It was a mind-boggling decision (to bat first) because we had seen in the previous match that the pitch becomes better to bat on in the night, the ball doesn't grip on the surface for the spinners. Still, the Pakistan team decided to bat first. Brainless decision, they had no clue," he remarked, pointing at Pakistan's record chase to eliminate South Africa at the same venue in the previous match to qualify for the final.
In the final, Pakistan were bowled out for 242 in 49.3 overs, with William ORourke starring for New Zealand with his spell of 4 for 43, while visiting captain Mitchell Santner (2 for 20) and Michael Bracewell (2 for 38) bowled crafty spin to claim two wickets each.
Rizwan (46), Salman Agha (45), Tayyab Tahir (38) and Babar Azam (29) got starts but failed to play big knocks.
In reply, New Zealand overhauled the target in 45.2 overs, courtesy of half-centuries from Daryl Mitchell (57) and Tom Latham (56).
Shahzad felt Pakistan skipper Rizwan played it safe when it comes to deciding the playing eleven.
"In his every decision, the Pakistan captain wants to play safe with batting, be it by being a spinner short in the Champions Trophy squad or this match, where they played (bowling all-rounder) Faheem Ashraf to have a longer batting line-up at the expense of (fast bowler) Mohammad Hasnain and still used him (Ashraf) for just two overs," Shahzad opined.
"The normal phenomenon is that you plan around your strengths. You extended your batting line-up and still chose to bat first. If you have deeper batting strength, then why not chase, like you did in the match against South Africa?"
According to Shahzad, Pakistan team creates opportunities to win only whey they are offered a chance by their opponents.
"In a final, you are making childish decisions...you are making so many mistakes in matches. You get a chance to win only when the opposition performs below par or don't have their main players playing," he said.