Introduction
Known for its highs and lows, Pakistan cricket has always been fascinating and full of drama, success, and failures. Pakistan is a force in the cricket scene because of so many legendary players like Imran Khan (outstanding captain and player), Wasim Akram (master of swing), and Javed Miandad (a superb batter), who were superstars in their day. But these days, things seem not so promising. The team is struggling to return to its former glory, and fans are starting to wonder what happened and losing hope. In this article, we’ll explain why Pakistan cricket has been struggling lately, especially after disappointing performances in the 2024 T20 World Cup, the 2025 Champions Trophy, and their current series against New Zealand.
What’s Happening with Pakistan Cricket?
Pakistan cricket has never been consistent. The team would occasionally lose the easy games in the most tragic ways and yet occasionally pull off incredible wins with all-round performances. Still, the team has been more down than up these days. Pakistan can’t seem to get the consistency it used to have, even with some very gifted athletes. Among the few main elements behind this are strategy, consistency, leadership, and teamwork.
T20 World Cup 2024: A Big Disappointment
The T20 World Cup is a major tournament for cricket enthusiasts, and Pakistan has regularly been a competitor. But in 2024, things collapsed. Pakistan not clearing the Super 12 level stunned fans. When it counted most, the team found it impossible to get things right.
Generally speaking, consistent star performers like Shaheen Afridi and Babar Azam underperformed. The team’s strategies were out-of-date, and they found it difficult to meet several playing conditions. While teams like India, Australia, and England tried fresh tactics, showed adaptation, and played aggressively, Pakistan persisted with the same outdated methods and lethargic play style that failed. Their sad tournament exit followed this.
Disappointing Performance in the 2025 Champions Trophy
Pakistan’s performance in the 2025 Champions Trophy greatly disappointed me and exceeded my expectations. Although gifted, the team struggled with consistency in every aspect across the tournament.
Batting Woes: Pakistan’s batting lineup lineup lineup failed to perform consistently. Important players like Babar Azam failed to give the team a solid start and couldn’t lead from the front; their middle order battled to create partnerships, so unable to set competitive totals or pursue targets.
Leadership and Strategy: Babar Azam’s captaincy came under scrutiny, with many questioning his ability to inspire and guide the team in high-pressure situations. Important elements in the team’s collapse were also their antiquated methods and incapacity to change with the times and contemporary cricket.
Fielding Errors: Pakistan’s fielding was poor, with expensive dropped catches and misfields costing precious opportunities. These mistakes taxed their bowlers and batting lineup lineup lineup unnecessarily.
Bowling Strength, But Not Enough: Although Shaheen Afridi and Haris Rauf showed promise, inadequate support from the batting and fielding departments usually negated their efforts. The bowlers also gave runs in crucial times, especially death overs.
Pakistan’s early tournament elimination finally brought attention to its continuous challenges with consistency, leadership, and strategic planning. The 2025 Champions Trophy was a depressing reminder of how far Pakistan still has to go to restore its status among the top cricketing nations.
The Series Against New Zealand: More Problems Exposed
Pakistan’s ongoing difficulties have been brought to light by the ongoing series against New Zealand. While Pakistan’s flaws have been clear in earlier games, New Zealand’s cool, deliberate approach puts them ahead.
Batting Depth: Pakistan’s lack of batting depth has been a recurring issue throughout the series. In the most recent matches, when the top-order failed, the middle order was unable to build partnerships or recover, leading to collapses. Dependency on a limited number of powerful personalities like Babar Azam and Imam-ul-Haq is proving unsustainable. Pakistan has to compile a more consistent, balanced batting line if it is to avoid repeated collapses.
Fielding: Pakistan’s fielding has been disappointing, with many expensive mistakes. Dropped catches and misfields have directly cost runs in the most recent games, therefore stressing their bowlers. These errors have been especially expensive in tight circumstances when every run counts.
Lack of Strategy: There is absolutely a strategic difference between the two squads. While New Zealand’s meticulous and well-executed game plan has generated consistent performance, Pakistan has lacked obvious direction. Pakistan’s approach in earlier games has been reactive rather than proactive; it has not matched New Zealand’s capabilities.
- The ongoing series has revealed Pakistan’s batting, fielding, and tactical weaknesses. Together with inconsistent performance, these problems highlight the need for significant changes if one wants to compete at the highest level.
How Pakistan Can Bounce Back: A Path Forward After Recent Struggles
Despite the struggles in recent matches, it’s not all doom and gloom for Pakistan cricket. With the right adjustments, they have the potential to bounce back. Here’s what they need to focus on:
Building a Solid Team: Pakistan’s consistency has suffered as the team has undergone ongoing changes. The pickers should cease cutting and rearranging the roster and back their seasoned musicians to create a dependable core group capable of regular performance. This will guarantee stability and help to prevent the uncertainty observed in most recent games.
Improving Fielding and Fitness: As the many expensive mistakes in previous games indicate, fielding and fitness remain weak points for Pakistan. Dropped catches, misfields, and poor ground fielding have cost Pakistan runs and momentum. If the squad intends to rival top teams like New Zealand, it must make major expenditures in intensive training and work on improving fitness and fielding discipline.
Adopt Modern Cricket Strategies: Pakistan’s approach to the game has looked outdated, especially in comparison to teams like New Zealand. To bounce back, Pakistan needs to adopt more modern, data-driven strategies. This covers wise tactical decisions, adaptability in their game plans, and mental preparation of players for the demands of international cricket. Being more proactive will enable Pakistan to remain competitive.
Focus on Youth Development: The recent run has also shown the need of fresh talent. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) should boost grassroots cricket and youth projects if it wants to ensure a constant flow of young talent. By focusing on young development, Pakistan may build a sustainable future and offer new energy as required.
These developments allow Pakistan to try to reclaim its position among the cricketing elite and rebuild itself after recent disappointments. These changes could set the stage for future achievement, even if the road ahead may be difficult.
Conclusion: A New Beginning?
The slow but unquestionable process of Pakistan’s cricket’s collapse has been marked by inconsistent performance, poor leadership decisions, and the incapacity to adapt to modern cricket’s times. From problems with team selection and strategy to mental slips in pivotal events, the team has battled to identify the ideal mix for success. Recent losses and unsatisfactory performance have underlined even more the complexity of the problems Pakistan cricket confronts.
Still, things are not lost entirely. One still has a great possibility for a strong comeback. The secret is implementing audacious, calculated changes in team structure, leadership, and attitude.
Pakistan cricket may start to turn the tide by concentrating on fresh leadership that can encourage the squad, including rising talent alongside seasoned players, and adopt tactical flexibility. Ensuring constant success on the international scene depends critically on players’ mental resilience, confidence-building, and winning culture development.
Though big, Pakistan’s cricket fall is not permanent. With the right approach, discipline, and will, the team may overcome obstacles and assume its place among the leading cricketing nations. With the correct alterations, a rebirth is not only feasible but also most likely, even though the clock is running out. Pakistan cricket still has chances to grow once more; consequently, right now is the time to act.
