The flight of Icarus

Pakistan cricket team’s dismal performance in New Zealand dropped the team at fourth position from the earlier top spot. It was just a field day for the Black Caps both at Christchurch and Hamilton. Kiwis outclassed the Green Caps in every discipline of the game. Neither our batsmen nor our bowlers could put up a good show. Later, the poor fielding did the remaining damage and sealed our tragic end. Actually, we pinned greater hopes from our team owing to its brilliant performance against the Carribeans in November. We should keep this factor in mind that West Indies side was not playing with full squad. The top West Indian players were absent which made the whole affair a cakewalk for Pakistanis.

Nonetheless, Pakistan can still compensate for the big debacle in New Zealand in its next tour to Australia. This tour will be an uphill task for Misbah eleven. Our players should learn from their mistakes in New Zealand and play sensibly by doing away with the past loopholes. The downward spiral of our team lays bare the fact that our players have infirm mindset and cannot perform well under pressure. The take away is that the people shouldering the responsibilities of team affairs should act with alacrity to help regain the lost confidence and morale of the players.

Muhammad Fayyaz

Mianwali