The first T20I between Pakistan and South Africa in Durban had all the makings of a thrilling contest. But for Pakistan fans, the excitement quickly turned into disappointment. Chasing a challenging target of 184 runs, the Men in Green fell short by 11 runs, finishing at 172-8 in their 20 overs.
The game exposed some old issues that have haunted Pakistan cricket, and former cricketer Ahmed Shehzad wasn’t shy about calling them out.
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A Familiar Pattern of Struggles
Pakistan’s chase started on the back foot with the early dismissal of Babar Azam for a duck. Saim Ayub, however, briefly lit up the innings with an explosive 31 off just 15 balls, smashing seven boundaries. His aggressive intent gave fans hope, but his departure brought the momentum to a screeching halt.
Captain Mohammad Rizwan anchored the innings with a patient 74 off 62 balls, including five boundaries and three sixes. While Rizwan’s effort kept Pakistan in the game, his strike rate became a talking point.
In modern T20 cricket, such knocks often need support from the other end to be match-winning—support that was sorely lacking in this case. Only Tayyab Tahir (18) managed to reach double figures apart from Rizwan and Ayub, leaving Pakistan’s batting lineup exposed.
Ahmed Shehzad Lashes Out
Ahmed Shehzad didn’t hold back as he shared his thoughts on the game on his X (formerly Twitter) account. He highlighted two glaring issues: too many dot balls and a lack of intent.
“Close but not good enough,” Shehzad wrote, expressing frustration over the team’s inability to learn from past mistakes. “Firstly letting South Africa to 180+ from where they were in the game was unbelievable, and then how we went to chase about this target was bizarre from the beginning.”
Shehzad’s critique went deeper as he pointed fingers at the senior players, urging them to step up. “Seniors should be leading from the front, not hiding behind youngsters,” he added, a statement that has sparked debate among fans and analysts alike.
Close but not good enough👎
Pakistan cricket team not learning from thre past mistakes.
Firstly letting South Africa to 180+from where they were in the game was unbelievable & then how we went to chase about this target was bizarre from beginning.
Too many dot balls & lack of…— Ahmad Shahzad 🇵🇰 (@iamAhmadshahzad) December 10, 2024
Bright Spots Amidst the Gloom
Despite the loss, there were some positives for Pakistan. Shehzad singled out Saim Ayub, Shaheen Afridi, and Abrar Ahmed for their contributions.
Shaheen Afridi and Abrar Ahmed shone with the ball, taking three wickets each to restrict South Africa to 184. Saim Ayub’s cameo also stood out for its fearless approach, something the team desperately needed more of during the chase.
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Pakistan’s defeat boils down to missed opportunities and poor decision-making. Letting South Africa recover to a formidable total after a shaky start was the first mistake. In the chase, the lack of intent and accumulation of dot balls further piled on the pressure.
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