World Cup 2019: Sarfraz Nawaz asks PM Imran Khan to take a tough look at Pakistan’s performance

Pakistan team failed to make it into the semi-finals of the ICC World Cup 2019. Despite valiant efforts in the second half of the tournament, their poor performances in the earlier matches caught up with them. Their net run rate fell behind and New Zealand went through on that basis. In the end, Pakistan needed to beat Bangladesh by 316 runs to make it into the knockouts, an impossible result and they ended their campaign with a mere win, which was useless.

Men in Green’s sojourn was marred by poor performances, controversial selection before and during the World Cup and reports of groupism in the dressing room. The loss to West Indies, where they were bowled out for 105 was followed by a drubbing by rivals India, to whom they lost for the seventh consecutive World Cup encounter. This has led to former players calling for PM Imran Khan to intervene in the running of the Pakistan Cricket Board and take some action on the team.

Sarfraz Nawaz says no one is ready to accept the responsibility

Former fast bowler Sarfraz Nawaz, who is credited with inventing and popularizing the reverse swing has come down hard on the officials of the PCB and said that he expected resignations from the selection committee, team management, and even COO Subhan Ahmed after the highly dismal performance of the team, but in Pakistan, no one takes responsibility.

“I am surprised that how the PCB and their blue-eyed are appreciating Pakistan team’s performance in the World Cup. It was totally pathetic and below average. How on earth Pakistan team was expecting favours from other teams? Why they blamed India, New Zealand, and others and why not they earned a place in the semi-finals themselves. It is very easy to point fingers at others but very hard to accept failure and get aside,” Nawaz was quoted as saying by nation.com.pk

He called for PCB patron and PM Imran Khan to act sternly against the ones responsible for this debacle. Nawaz said that Imran and Sarfaraz were the only ones who could take the team forward from here on and some bold decisions had to be made.

He added, “PM should act now and send selection committee, coaches and all the flops home. I guess the PCB has to retain Sarfraz Ahmed as captain as they never appointed vice-captain and groomed him. Now Sarfraz should continue to lead the Pakistan team and prove himself that he is that leader who will take the team forward.”

Nawaz was critical of Pakistan team blaming others for their poor net run rate, as he felt that the Men in Green should have performed better instead of depending on other teams to win games for them to move forward. He mentioned how they were in England a month before the tournament, but couldn’t handle the conditions properly. He emphasized that PCB now has time to think of a long term plan for the Pakistani team with new coaches and new ideas coming in.