Published: Sep 02, 2016, 07:07 PM (IST)
Edited: Sep 02, 2016, 08:07 PM (IST)
Pakistan’s Test and One-Day International sides are heading in the opposite direction. While the Misbah-ul-Haq-led team jumped to the top of ICC Test rankings, the ODI side has been nothing short of a disappointment. Not only are they on the verge of a 5-0 whitewash against England, they are currently languishing at the ninth spot in ICC ODI rankings, below West Indies at eight and above Afghanistan at 10. However, Azhar Ali particularly has not had a good time as captain, and the consequences of this loss can be huge. As a matter of fact, if Pakistan do not get enough points by September 30, 2017, they may not qualify for the ICC Cricket World Cup 2019, which is scheduled to be played in England and Wales. Full Cricket Scorecard: Pakistan vs England, 5th ODI at Cardiff
With the series against England already lost, Pakistan have nothing but pride to play for in the final ODI at Cardiff. Pakistan just about secured a place for the ICC Champions trophy 2017. By the looks of things, they will have their tasks cut out if they are to secure a qualification. If a team of Pakistan’s stature — winners of the 1992 World Cup — were reduced to play qualifiers, it will surely be an embarrassment for the entire nation.
How much ground have Pakistan lost?
For Pakistan to move above West Indies in the ODI rankings, they needed to beat Ireland and England in all the ODI matches. They started off well against Ireland, but rain played spoilsport in the second match, as a result of which Pakistan managed a 1-0 win. As far as the series against England is concerned, Pakistan have not come even close to winning a single game and now stare at a whitewash. It is safe to say that things have not gone as per plan for them, and will have to do something drastic in the upcoming months to ensure that they do not lose further ground. READ: Arthur warns PAK ODI side following 4th ODI defeat to ENG
According to an ICC media release, “Pakistan not only has a chance to close the gap with the West Indies, but it can move ahead of the two-time former world champion by a fraction of a point. However, to make this happen, it will have to win every match against Ireland and England.”
Pakistan lost to New Zealand (away) and England (at UAE) in the last 10 months, putting them in further enigma. Their last series win came against Sri Lanka in July 2015. Under Azhar Ali, they have had a tough time in the 50-over format to say the least, which brings us to…
Is Azhar Ali the right man to lead Pakistan?
Azhar has led Pakistan to just 8 out of the 24 matches he has captained. His appointment as captain was puzzling. Not having played ODIs for two years, Azhar was made captain after Misbah retire from limited-overs cricket, following Pakistan’s exit from ICC Cricket World Cup 2015. But Azhar, in is tenure as skipper so far, seems to have settled in. Cricket, at the end of the day, is all about results. When they go your way, you are praised; when they don’t, you are greatly criticised.
Azhar must be aware that his side has been well below par in the last few series, and will have to turn things around over the next year or so.
Wicketkeeper Sarfraz Ahmed was appointed the T20I captain after Pakistan’s poor show in the ICC World T20 2016. Thus, is Azhar just warming Sarfraz’s seat till the latter is ready to replace him as the ODI captain? All the same, the Pakistan management will have to take a call on it soon. READ: Javed Miandad criticises Azhar Ali after ODI series defeat
What are Pakistan’s upcoming fixtures?
Pakistan play West Indies in a three-match ODI series against West Indies in the UAE, beginning from end of September. After that, they travel to Australia, where they will play five-ODI series against the hosts, before playing the opening game of the ICC Champions Trophy 2017 against arch-rivals India, where they are pitted against South Africa and Sri Lanka in the group stage.
All these matches become crucial for Pakistan. If they manage to win the series against West Indies and Australia (both ranked above them in the ODI rankings), they might be able to breathe much easily. West Indies are a decent ODI side, but beating Australia in their own den will be a tough task. Their performance at ICC Champions Trophy too will be crucial. Every win from now on will take Pakistan closer to a qualification to ICC Cricket World Cup 2019. READ: The method in Sarfraz Ahmed
Do Pakistan have the squad?
The current squad does seem to have a good mixture of youth and experience. They will hopefully get some momentum during the series against West Indies and go all guns blazing against Australia. A few youngsters such as Hasan Ali, Imad Wasim will take their experience from their tour of England and put it to good use against West Indies.
Pakistan have given opportunities to a few, who have done well in the domestic circuit, but the onus to ensure that Pakistan perform well relies on seniors such as Mohammad Hafeez, Wahab Riaz, Shhoaib Malik, who will have to ensure that the new players feel comfortable and are eased into the team.
Yasir Shah has not played too many ODIs, but he must be persisted for some more time, so that he gets used to the shorter formats. There is little doubt – especially after his stellar display in the Test series – that he is one of the best spinners in the world in Tests. He, perhaps, needs a bit more support to perform will in this format.
Pakistan’s approach in the ODI circuit has been mediocre, and will have to turn the tables if they hope to do well against the heavyweights. As far as qualification for the 2019 flagship event goes, they will have to jump at least a couple of places. If they fail, they will have to play the qualifiers. And given Pakistan’s stature in world cricket and their history, that would be a huge setback in itself.
(Pramod Ananth is a reporter at CricketCountry.com. He is a sport enthusiast and a keen observer of cricket, the contests, and its personalities. When not tracking cricket, he follows the world’s soccer leagues and is somewhat partial towards Liverpool. His Twitter handle is @pramz)
