Wins Are Wins, But Cracks Are Showing
Time to Worry or Just a Wake-Up Call?
Pakistan may have booked their place in the final of the T20 tri-series, but their recent performances are sounding quiet alarms ahead of the Asia Cup. Two consecutive 31-run wins against the United Arab Emirates — a team ranked far below Pakistan in the cricketing hierarchy — have not been as convincing as the scorelines suggest. Scratch the surface, and the cracks begin to show.
Margins That Hide the Worry
Beating the same team twice by an identical 31-run margin might seem consistent, but these weren’t dominant displays. Pakistan posted competitive, not overwhelming totals, and relied heavily on a few standout performances rather than a cohesive team effort. More importantly, the UAE — who lack the firepower of teams like India, Sri Lanka, or Bangladesh — managed to reach 140 while chasing 172, exposing the vulnerabilities in Pakistan’s bowling and fielding setups.
The inconsistency in Pakistan’s middle order continues to be a problem. The top-order did well to set up totals, but the team struggled to accelerate in the latter overs. Against stronger opponents in the Asia Cup, these lapses could mean the difference between qualifying for the final or crashing out early.
Inconsistency Against Stronger Opponents
The match against Afghanistan highlighted another problem — Pakistan were second best. Despite winning the first encounter against them, the inability to adapt and bounce back in the second match suggests that the team’s mindset and tactical flexibility are not at their sharpest.
Afghanistan may not yet be a global powerhouse, but their bowling attack is world-class, and Pakistan’s recent struggles against them underline how vulnerable the batting unit can be under pressure. If similar issues surface in the Asia Cup, where every team brings depth and experience, Pakistan could be in for a tough ride.
What Needs Urgent Fixing
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Middle Order Stability: Pakistan’s middle order remains shaky. There’s no clear finisher, and collapses after good starts are becoming a habit.
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Bowling Depth: Without early breakthroughs, the bowling lacks direction. Against UAE, the inability to seal the game early let the underdogs stretch their innings unnecessarily.
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Fielding Lapses: Dropped catches and misfields are creeping in again — issues that should have been long corrected.
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Leadership Clarity: On-field decision-making has appeared reactive rather than proactive. Stronger opponents will capitalize on this.
Final Thoughts
Yes, Pakistan are in the tri-series final, and yes, a win is a win — but if these close calls against a developing cricketing nation don’t ring alarm bells, they should. The Asia Cup won’t offer second chances, and a tournament full of quality opposition will expose any sign of complacency or fragility.
Pakistan has the talent to win major tournaments. The question is whether they have the cohesion, clarity, and composure to match that talent with consistent performances — especially under pressure.
