The ICC Men's Cricket World Cup 2023 has seen a series of standout performances, but several key players haven't lived up to their reputations. Teams like England, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka have notably faced challenges with star players underperforming.
Let's take you through a list of those flop players who who've fallen short of expectations so far in the ongoing ODI World Cup.
1. Babar Azam: Ranked the world's No.1 ODI batsman, Pakistan's Babar Azam hasn't scored a single hundred so far in the World Cup 2023. He has amassed just 207 runs in six matches, including three half centuries. The weight of his underperformance has affected Pakistan's overall showing.
2. Jos Buttler: The linchpin of England's batting lineup, skipper Jos Buttler's 95 runs in five matches is well below par. England has missed his game-changing innings that could single-handedly tilt matches in their favor.
3. Temba Bavuma: Despite representing South Africa in only three out of five matches due to health issues, Bavuma's form has been a concern. With a meager 87 runs under his belt in four matches, his inability to perform during the powerplay overs is evident.
4. Shadab Khan: Pakistan's all-rounder Shadab Khan hasn't exploited spinner-friendly conditions to his advantage. His paltry contributions - 117 runs and two wickets - reflect his struggles.
5. Liam Livingstone: Expected to be a key figure for England, Livingstone's 31 runs across three matches have left fans wanting more. His minor contributions with the ball don't make up for the gap he's left in the batting lineup.
6. Jonny Bairstow: Bairstow, known for his prowess in Indian pitches, has been a significant disappointment. A tally of only 127 runs across five matches doesn't do justice to the capabilities of the English stalwart.
7. Najmul Hossain Shanto: An experienced player for Bangladesh, Shanto's subpar 74 runs in five matches has not done any favors, especially given his strategic batting position.
8. Mustafizur Rahman: Bangladesh's pace spearhead Rahman has been a shadow of himself, with only two wickets from five matches, further stressing the team's bowling attack.
9. Dhananjaya de Silva: Silva's all-round capabilities were supposed to bolster Sri Lanka's chances. Unfortunately, with zero wickets and a moderate score of 73 runs, his performance hasn't met the mark.
10. Fazalhaq Farooqi: Despite Afghanistan's commendable campaign, new-ball bowler Farooqi hasn't been consistent. His two wickets in four matches, accompanied by an economy rate above six, certainly raise concerns.
11. Maheesh Theekshana: Touted to be Sri Lanka's secret weapon with his mystery spin, Theekshana has secured a mere three wickets in four matches, leaving the team in a lurch.
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