Pakistan had a rough start to the tri-nation ODI series, suffering a heavy defeat by 78 runs against New Zealand in Lahore, which could have added pressure on the team management as the Champions Trophy approaches.
Babar Azam, who was tested at the opening position, couldn’t make an impact, raising concerns. However, it will be interesting to see how he performs in the upcoming match against South Africa on Wednesday in Karachi.
Captain Mohammad Rizwan and Kamran Ghulam also failed to contribute with the bat. Kamran, in particular, was playing well but played a risky shot when he needed to build his innings, resulting in his dismissal.
The pitch posed challenges, with the ball staying low and skidding, which troubled the Pakistani batsmen under the lights. They appeared vulnerable against Mitchell Santner and Michael Bracewell, who bowled tightly. However, the top-order players recently played a Test series in Multan on turning tracks against the West Indies, so they should have been more comfortable on this pitch.
Fakhar Zaman was a bright spot. The left-handed batsman played confidently, making a strong return to the squad with a knock of 84. He had missed the previous three away series due to various issues, including fitness concerns.
Agha Salman and Tayyab Tahir also put in commendable efforts, with Tayyab unfortunately dismissed due to a stunning catch.
Shaheen Afridi and Naseem Shah didn’t impress much. While they looked decent early on, both were overshadowed by Glenn Phillips’ aggressive batting, revealing their ordinary performance. To be effective, the pair will need to improve their variation and execution, particularly in death overs.
Haris Rauf, who had to leave the field due to a side strain in the 37th over, was later seen in better condition.
Abrar Ahmed, the only regular spinner, bowled well but will need to refine his performance. Khushdil Shah also needs to improve his bowling if he wants to retain his spot for the Champions Trophy.
Despite these challenges, Pakistan’s assistant coach Azhar Mahmood expressed confidence in the team, believing it can perform well in the Champions Trophy.
“I think it’s the best combination,” Azhar told reporters.
“The middle order has been performing well, and although we lost the first game of the Tri-Nation Series, there is no doubt in this unit’s ability. InshaAllah, they will win the Champions Trophy for us.”
Azhar also praised Fakhar’s performance, saying, “Fakhar showed that he hasn’t missed anything. He is a world-class player, as is Babar. Once Babar starts scoring runs, we will post big totals. We have full faith in his ability.”
Azhar pointed out that Faheem Ashraf could fill the crucial role of a pace-bowling all-rounder, something Pakistan needs desperately.
He emphasized the importance of patience and providing consistent opportunities for players to develop, stating, “Without consistent chances, the team cannot build.”
Pakistan also made a few mistakes in the field, dropping several catches, including a costly missed opportunity when Glenn Phillips was on 81. In contrast, New Zealand’s fielding was exceptional, with some excellent catches that put Pakistan on the back foot.
