Scathing in its criticism after Pakistan’s loss to India in a World Twenty20 match, the media came down heavily on national coach Waqar Younis and skipper Shahid Afridi for their “faulty gameplan” and team selection.
In a low-scoring rain-curtailed 18-over-a-side showdown at the hallowed Eden Gardens last night, India first restricted Pakistan to 118 for five and then overhauled the target in 15.5 overs on a turning track. With a moisture-laden pitch on offer following rains, Pakistan went by their strength and included four seamers in the playing eleven, leaving out left-arm spinner Imad Wasim. But the plan backfired as, to the surprise of all and sundry, the wicket turned from the first over itself.
In a sarcastic article, the Express Tribune newspaper criticised the Pakistan team’s tactics and questioned the logic behind including four seamers on a turning wicket. “It’s a good thought to have the legends of the game give a ‘pep-talk’ on the eve of a big game. It’s a good thought to ease the nerves of the players before a big game, but all that translates into absolutely nothing if the team management and captaincy fail miserably at reading the cricket pitch or executing the requisite skills,” an article in the newspaper said referring to Imran Khan’s meeting with the players before Saturday’s match.
The article also criticised Afridi’s decision to promote himself at No.3 position.
“Girls outshone boys in cricket” was the headline in The Nation newspaper, mocking the men’s national team following the Pakistani eves’ two-run win via Duckworth-Lewis over India in the ICC Women’s World Twenty20 match at New Delhi on Saturday
An article in The Daily Times carried the headline ‘The jinx continues’, referring to Pakistan’s inability to beat India in major ICC events. This was India’s 11th consecutive win over Pakistan in the ICC World tournaments and also their maiden victory over the arch-rivals at the hallowed Eden Gardens in Kolkata.
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