NEWS
Follow UsWith losses to India, the USA and a washed out game against Ireland, Pakistan are out of the T20 World Cup 2024 in the first round itself. They had their chances in the games against India and the US, but they let it slip from their hands, and to add to their agony, the rain Gods too have not been on their side, as US' washed out game against Ireland saw them crash out.
Pakistan all-rounder Imad Wasim, who came out of retirement for this World Cup, says that the team needs a revamp going forward.
"When you fall, how do you get up and approach the world? And how do you react? That is what we have to see now. It is a very sad thing. But, who knows, it could be a big thing for Pakistan cricket. Revamp it, revisit it and play it the way white-ball cricket should be played," Wasim said ahead of Pakistan's final game against Ireland in Lauderhill on June 16 (Sunday).
"So, me personally and our team, including me, are very disappointed and sad. And the whole public is sad that we didn't perform well and we are to blame for it. But I would also like to say that we are human beings, we can make mistakes and we are also saddened by these things."
Wasim also admits that this is the lowest point for Pakistan cricket. "Yes, this is the lowest point. You can't go any lower than this. That's the fact," he further adds.
Wasim believes the the mindset has to change for the players to change things around. He believes the team have been playing with a mindset that makes them afraid of failure.
"It's all your mindset. What mindset do you want to play the game with? You either play fire with fire, or you play your way. So, I personally believe that you should play fire with fire. And even if you lose, you can sit down and say to yourself that on that day, we were not good enough," Wasim said.
"The problem is our team is so good, our players are so good that we are good enough to play any kind of cricket. So, we haven't tried that but the thing is you have to try that, you have to get rid of fear of failure mindset.
"In everything - batting, bowling, fielding, you have to get rid of the fear of failure mindset. As I said earlier, personal change doesn't change anything, just changing the mindset can change a lot of things. The same ball can be hit by a sixer, a four, a single, and that same ball can take a wicket and a be dot ball.
"We compete with the world's best teams. Their mindset has changed over time. We used to rule in T20 cricket. I think we have moved back a little now. Maybe our mindset - in all three areas. I won't say any one area. We should approach the game in all three areas. If you change the mind of the player, you can achieve things beyond your limits. I always believe in this.
"You can talk a lot, but it is what it is - today, we are out of the tournament, and whatever happens in the next World Cup, whoever plays, however they play, I think if we go with the right approach mindset, the results will be better for us."
Had the US lost the game to Ireland, Pakistan may have just needed a win on June 16 (Thursday) to make it through to the Super Eights. However, Wasim believes it should not have come to this as they were in a good position to win against India and USA.
"We should have won our matches and we should not have trusted others. So, it is our fault. Giving excuses now is of no use. We didn't play well," the all-rounder said.
"We didn't play well in the tournament. If you don't play well, you don't deserve to win a tournament or go to a deep tournament. So, I believe that we didn't play well. We had and have the potential, but as a team, we couldn't deliver, and we have to accept our mistakes."
The 35-year-old admits he regrets not being able to carry his team over the line against India on a tricky New York surface. "The plan was to take the game deep. The wicket was not good to play. It was a little difficult. Unfortunately, my plan was going according to plan but not execution. Because usually when I bat, I take the game deep," Wasim said.
"And if I hit any boundary on either end, the game would have been different. Having said that, he [Axar Patel] did very well in bowling and he did it on the spot. He didn't bowl too badly. Usually, under pressure, bowlers give you a ball and there is a margin.
"But I think I was taking the game deep and I was hoping that a new batsman would come and for that it is virtually impossible. But Naseem hit two good shots. That 17th over, I think, I feel that the move of the runs in that over was a turning point. It's unfortunate that it happens, it's an incident but it was a big game.
"Our team and I are more disappointed than you are. I let down because usually when I go in this situation, I am very calm and finish the job. And this was my job to finish which I couldn't do. I will regret this and I still regret it. But this is life."
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