Pakistan's Test cricket team has long been a subject of high expectations and occasional brilliance, but recent performances have cast doubt on their standing as a cricketing powerhouse. Their recent home loss to Bangladesh, following a controversial declaration, highlighted underlying issues that have plagued the team. Currently positioned 8th in the World Test Championship (WTC) 2023-2025 standings, with just 2 wins from 6 matches, Pakistan's struggles are evident. The team's underperformance is not a new trend; they finished 5th in the 2019-2021 WTC cycle and slipped to 7th in the 2021-2023 cycle. With frequent changes in team selection, questionable captaincy decisions, internal politics, and an apparent reluctance to adapt to modern cricketing standards, Pakistan's Test team faces a challenging road ahead. This article explores five key reasons why Pakistan may be considered overrated in Test cricket.
1. INCONSISTENT WORLD TEST CHAMPIONSHIP PERFORMANCES
Pakistan's performance in the World Test Championship (WTC) cycles reveals a troubling trend of inconsistency. In the WTC 2019-2021 cycle, Pakistan finished 5th, having played 6 series and won only 3. The subsequent cycle, 2021-2023, saw a decline, with Pakistan dropping to 7th and winning just 4 out of 14 series. Their current standing in the WTC 2023-2025 cycle, where they occupy 8th place with only 2 wins from 6 matches, underscores this ongoing issue. This pattern of underachievement across successive WTC cycles highlights Pakistan's struggles to maintain a consistent performance level in Test cricket. The repeated failure to secure strong positions in the WTC standings reflects deeper issues within their cricketing structure and approach. Addressing these inconsistencies will be crucial for improving their performance and achieving better results on the international stage.
2. TEAM SELECTION IMBALANCES
Denne historien er fra September 2024-utgaven av Cricket Today.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent ? Logg på
Denne historien er fra September 2024-utgaven av Cricket Today.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
Is Sarfaraz Khan A Flash In The Pan?
Sarfaraz's international performance has been inconsistent and underwhelming. His recent outings have left many questioning whether he's truly ready for the pressures of the highest level or if his success in domestic cricket is simply a flash in the pan.
5 Players Who Don't Deserve A Spot In The Indian Test Team
Virat Kohli, once the backbone of India's batting lineup, is struggling to find his footing. The once-reliable batsman and former captain is now far from his peak, with his recent performances suggesting he may be holding India back. Kohli's record in 2024 has been underwhelming...
Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma: Are They Still The Best? It's Time For A Rethink
The time has come. You probably know their names. You probably also know the countless number of games they have won for their country at the back of their audacious skills with the bat. But now, as seen in recent times, you also know...
J.T. POSTON WINS THIRD CAREER PGA TOUR TITLE
He made three birdies in a four-hole stretch on the back nine of the final round and led by four shots with three holes to play. Poston still had to sweat it out to the very last putt...
VICTOR WEMBANYAMA LIVED UP TO ALL THE HYPE AS AN NBA ROOKIE. IN YEAR 2, THE SPURS STAR WANTS MORE
If San Antonio is going to get back into the playoff mix this season, Wembanyama will have to be one of the biggest reasons why. Still officially listed at 7-foot-3 by the he looks at least Spurs a couple of inches taller, though he says he hasn't grown...
MESSI MANIA HELPS DRIVE RECORD GROWTH FOR MLS
Two matches exceeded 70,000 fans and five matches exceeded 50,000. In an April match at Arrowhead Stadium, there were 72,610 on hand to watch Lionel Messi and Inter Miami play Sporting Kansas City...
FROM COACH CAL AT ARKANSAS TO ALABAMA'S TITLE PURSUIT.STORYLINES ABOUND IN SEC FILLED WITH TALENT "
Arkansas is No. 16 despite Calipari having to rebuild the entire roster. Kentucky is at No. 23 under Mark Pope, who played for the Wildcats in the 1990s before leaving BYU after last season for what was always his dream job...
NEW ZEALAND WINS CRICKET'S WOMEN'S T20 WORLD CUP FOR FIRST TIME
The White Ferns added to their one-day title at the 2000 Cricket World Cup and became the first New Zealand team to win a T20 World Cup, with the men's team - the Black Caps - yet to achieve this feat...
NEW ZEALAND WHITE FERNS SPLIT US$2.3 MILLION AFTER WINNING T20 WORLD CUP
New Zealand's first-ever victory in the World Cup of cricket's shortest format was a massive surprise. The White Ferns had lost 10 consecutive T20 matches before beating South Africa in a warm-up match. That pre-tournament...
DAVID WARNER'S LEADERSHIP BAN ENDS
Warner received a penalty for his role in the 2018 sandpaper scandal in South Africa, on top of a one-year ban from cricket, which was also imposed on Steve Smith, with a lesser playing suspension given to Cameron Bancroft.
