Aakash Chopra Reflects On Pakistan's Struggle (Source: @TheRealPCB/x.com)
After 8 long years, the Champions Trophy is re-arriving in the cricket arena with Pakistan reclaiming the hosting rights after a long gap. Before stepping onto the big stage, their current form is raising concerns.
In recent years, Pakistan’s performance in ICC events has been under scrutiny, with back-to-back setbacks raising doubts. Just ahead of the Champions Trophy, former Indian cricketer Aakash Chopra pointed out Men in Green’s weakness on the big stage.
Aakash Chopra Highlights Pakistan’s Struggles
As teams gear up for the tournament, defending champions Pakistan face a major hurdle regarding their form. Their tendency to crumble in pressured situations and inconsistency adds more woes on their way to triumph. Ahead of the tournament, former Indian player Aakash Chopra identified their struggles.
“Pakistan's weakness is not a weakness of today. It's a perennial weakness. Of course, they are the defending champions in the Champions Trophy, but the truth is that they get stuck under pressure. They lost to the USA in the last ICC event (2024 T20 World Cup) and didn't qualify for the second round,” Chopra said.
Along with their questionable form, their recent performances at the last two ICC events are putting them behind. Their disappointing run in ICC events saw them crash out in the group stage of the 2023 ODI World Cup, and the setback persisted in the T20 World Cup 2024, where they met the same fate. Aakash Chopra pointed out their prolonged weakness.
“They reached the final in the 2022 T20 World Cup for sure but they were totally missing in the 2023 ODI World Cup. So this is a team that just implodes under pressure. They just go completely missing. So you will have to agree that is one of Pakistan's weaknesses.” he added.
Recent Tri-Series Defeat Adds More Woes
In a final rehearsal before the Champions Trophy, Pakistan hosted New Zealand and South Africa in a home ODI tri-series, hoping to fine-tune their game. However, that series ended up being their setback. They started the series with a massive 78-run defeat against New Zealand. After regaining confidence after defeating South Africa in the next match, they struggled while facing the Kiwis in the final clash. Inconsistent batting, shaky bowling, and out-of-form players have now left the hosts with more questions than answers.
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