Pakistan ended their World Cup 2023 campaign by losing to England by 93 runs at the Eden Gardens on Saturday.
They were playing for pride after Jos Butler put them to field after winning the toss with their hopes of a potential semifinal berth came crashing down as they needed to chase down England's target within 16 balls.
Their dismal performance has led to widespread criticism and a retrospective analysis of the 1992 champions' mistakes.
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Former Pakistan skipper Misbah Ul Haq disclosed that the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and team management disregarded his advice to reassess the spin department before the tournament.
Pakistan's spinners, including vice-captain Shadab Khan, Iftikhar Ahmed, and Usama Mir, under-performed which led Misbah to slam the team management.
What did Misbah-ul-Haq say?
Misbah, part of the PCB's technical committee with Mohammad Hafeez and Inzamam Ul Haq, emphasized the need for additional spin options due to concerns about Shadab Khan and Mohammad Nawaz's form. However, the management, reluctant to disrupt the established team, ignored the recommendation to revisit their spin bowling plans.
"When the Pakistan Cricket Board chairman (Zaka Ashraf) asked for my and Hafeez’s advice for the World Cup. I told them clearly (that) they needed another spinner since the form of Shadab (Khan) and Mohammad Nawaz was a source of concern since before the Asia Cup.
"I told them the performance of the two spinners didn’t evoke confidence and they should revisit their spin bowling plans. They just kept on saying that we are carrying the same set of players, (or the) same team for more than a year and they didn’t want to disturb it," he said to Ary News Channel.
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Babar Azam agrees to Misbah-ul-Haq
Pakistan captain Babar Azam echoed concerns about the spin department's inadequacy, noting issues with death bowling and the inability of spinners to take crucial wickets in the middle overs.
"We conceded a few too many runs. We bowled a few loose deliveries towards the end.
"And our spinners' aren't taking wickets, which doesn't help. That has a big effect because you need to take wickets in the middle overs," Babar said after bowing out of World Cup 2023.
Who will win the 2023 World Cup?
India and Australia are now among the favourites for the 2023 World Cup title. The odds were as follows ahead of this match, and you can click here to make your bet (selected regions).
| Team | Odds |
|---|---|
| India | 1.95 |
| Australia | 4.50 |
| South Africa | 5.50 |
| New Zealand | 7.50 |
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