Pakistan men’s cricket team hit a new low as they were knocked out of the T20 World Cup 2024 even before they played their final group game. Babar Azam’s men failed to qualify for the Super 8s after USA’s Group A game against Ireland in Lauderhill, Florida was washed out due to rain and a wet outfield in Florida.
It was a major disappointment for Pakistan, who reached the final in 2022. In fact, the 2009 champions hold the record of reaching the most number of semifinals in men’s T20 World Cup history.
Pakistan fans were desperately hoping for an Irish win on Friday as their hopes of sneaking through to the Super 8s rested heavily on it. However, a wet outfield led to a washout and USA and Ireland shared a point each. With wins over Canada and Pakistan, USA made it to the Super 8s in a historic result with 5 points. Pakistan, who are set to play Ireland in Florida on Sunday, can get to a maximum of 4 points. India, who have 6 points in 3 games, were the first team to qualify for the next round from Group A.
Pakistan were shown the door as early as the group stage of the men’s T20 World Cup for the first time since the 2014 edition. Pakistan stumbled in the group stage in 2014 after winning only two of their four matches in Group 2. However, Pakistan had performed commendably, beating Australia and Bangladesh in 2014. Their defeats to India and the West Indies knocked them out of the contest.
PAKISTAN’S HORROR RUN IN THE USA
However, in 2024, Pakistan have been a shadow of their former dominant self. Pakistan were stunned in their opening match of the tournament in Dallas by co-hosts USA, who were featuring in their maiden T20 World Cup tournament. Pakistan were undone in a thrilling Super Over after their big guns failed to step up. Pakistan played like an inexperienced side as they failed to hold their nerves in the Super Over, conceding 18 runs to USA. Saurabh Netravalkar then dashed Pakistan’s hopes of a win as USA held their nerve to clinch a famous victory.
Pakistan were under immense pressure when they headed into the game against India on June 9 in New York. However, their bowlers, led by Naseem Shah, fired on all cylinders and restricted India to 119.
Despite a strong effort with the ball, Pakistan failed to get the job done with the bat. Jasprit Bumrah came up with a spell for the ages as Babar Azam’s men lost by 6 runs, seeing a big dent to their hopes of reaching the Super 8s.
Pakistan, however, came up with a clinical performance against Canada in their third Group A game in New York and kept themselves in the hunt for a place in the next round.
It was an anti-climax for Pakistan as USA and Ireland shared points, leading to their early exit.
Questions will be asked of Babar Azam and the team as Pakistan have had back-to-back disappointing World Cup campaigns. After having failed to make the semifinals of the ODI World Cup in India last year, Babar’s side has failed to fulfil expectations once again. The instability in the team management and the board has also not helped the much-followed cricket team.
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