Pakistan cricket team has been eliminated from the ongoing T20 World Cup in the group stage itself. This was decided after the Group A match between co-hosts USA and Ireland in Florida was washed out on Friday (June 14).
The sorry exit led to a scathing criticism of Babar Azam’s team. Former England skipper Michael Vaughan also lashed out at the Men in Green, questioning their white-ball credentials.
To stay alive in the Super 8 race, Pakistan needed Ireland to beat the United States. However, inclement weather played spoilsport as the match ended in a no-result, pushing USA to the next round alongside India from Group A.
Pakistan paid the price for a Super Over defeat against USA in their campaign opener, followed by a nervy six-run defeat at the hands of arch-rivals India.
“They cant blame the weather. They should have beaten US and India. If they did, they would have been through to the Super 8s. I just don’t see Pakistan at the moment as a great white-ball team. Even when they went to the final in the last (T20) World Cup, I didn’t think they were a great side. They just did what Pakistan do. I’ve said earlier that they should have won that game against England,” Vaughan said while speaking on Cricbuzz.
Vaughan also raised questions over Babar’s skill-set in the shortest format of the game, claiming that the Pakistan captain won’t be able to make the cut for other leading sides around the world.
“I don’t think they have the skill set of what I’ve seen in the past from Pakistan cricket in T20 cricket. I honestly don’t think they’ve got many great T20 players. Babar Azam is exceptional, but would he make England’s, Australia’s, India’s, or the West Indies’ T20 teams? Probably not,” he remarked.
Notably, Babar Azam failed to make a mark in the T20 World Cup 2024, amassing only 91 runs in three matches at a strike rate of 104.65.
Vaughan also claimed that Pakistan lack the mental fortitude to triumph over traditional rivals India in the high-octane games.
“Mentally, they have no clue how to beat India. That’s true. I could see it in the chase. They should have absolutely strolled that game. There’s only one winner because India knows how to win and they have the mentality to get over the line, and for whatever reason, Pakistan just doesn’t seem to have that kind of swagger,” Vaughan said.
Pakistan will conclude their T20 World Cup campaign with the dead-rubber Group A match against Ireland in Florida on Sunday (June 16).
