Pakistan's T20 World Cup campaign has come to a crashing halt before their final group match. Babar Azam's team's hopes of reaching the Super 8 stage were dashed due to rain washing out the crucial USA versus Ireland match in Florida on June 14. Pakistan fans were eagerly awaiting an Irish victory, as it was their only chance of progressing. However, the weather intervened, forcing the match to be called off and awarding a point to each team. This outcome proved fatal for Pakistan's qualification.
USA scripts history with Super 8 entry
With two wins under their belt, USA secured a historic Super 8s spot with 5 points. Even if Pakistan wins their remaining match against Ireland, they can only reach a maximum of 4 points, falling short of qualification. This marks the first time since the 2014 edition that Pakistan has been eliminated from the men's T20 World Cup during the group stage. While their 2014 campaign saw them win only two of their four matches, they did manage to put up a strong fight, defeating teams like Australia and Bangladesh. Ultimately, losses to India and the West Indies ended their run. This year, however, Pakistan's journey has been cut even shorter, leaving fans disappointed and hungry for a stronger performance in future tournaments.
Pakistan's horrific run at T20 World Cup
Pakistan's 2024 T20 World Cup campaign has been a stark contrast to their past successes. Their opening match in Dallas against co-hosts USA, who were making their tournament debut, revealed a team far from its dominant form. Pakistan's big hitters faltered under pressure, leading the game into a dramatic Super Over.
Unfortunately, Pakistan's performance in the Super Over resembled that of an inexperienced team. They struggled to contain their nerves, conceding a hefty 18 runs to USA. Chasing a challenging target, Pakistan's hopes were dashed as USA's Saurabh Netravalkar held his nerve, securing a historic win for the debutants. This unexpected defeat set the tone for a disappointing World Cup for Pakistan.
Pakistan's World Cup journey was a rollercoaster ride filled with glimpses of promise and moments of despair. Their clash against India on June 9th in New York was a high-pressure affair. The bowlers, spearheaded by the young Naseem Shah, delivered a stellar performance, restricting India to a modest 119 runs.
However, their batting faltered under the weight of expectation. Jasprit Bumrah's exceptional bowling spell proved too much to overcome, and Pakistan fell short by a mere 6 runs. This defeat significantly hampered their chances of progressing to the Super 8s.
Despite the setback, Pakistan bounced back with a convincing win against Canada in their third match, keeping their qualification hopes alive. However, their fate ultimately rested on the outcome of the USA vs. Ireland match. A rainout and shared points between the two teams resulted in a frustrating anti-climax for Pakistan, as they were eliminated before their final group game. This early exit will undoubtedly lead to scrutiny of Babar Azam's leadership and the team's overall performance. It marks another disappointing World Cup campaign for Pakistan, following their failure to reach the semifinals in the ODI World Cup last year. The ongoing instability within the team management and the board can also be seen as a contributing factor to their struggles. Pakistan fans will be eager to see a stronger showing and a more unified team in future tournaments.
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